Residents weigh in on Southgate redevelopment

By Sean Car

Local residents living in Quay West are the latest to express concern about the way in which Southgate’s owners ARA Australia are planning for the centre’s redevelopment.

While Southbank News has previously reported on issues raised by Southgate’s tenants, residents living within the precinct along Southgate Avenue have added their voice to a growing list of worries about ARA’s proposal.

In May last year, ARA announced that it had submitted a development application to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for a new 21-storey office tower and more than 10,000 sqm of new-look retail space across four levels.

In a statement issued at the time, ARA Australia said that it had looked to capitalise on the state government’s fast-tracking of building permits amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A lack of consultation, fears about both project and traffic management during construction, proposed changes to Southgate’s easements and potential disruption, and loss of privacy and noise from a new 2000 sqm public space are just some of the concerns raised by Quay West residents.

While it’s understood that initial consultation began with residents in December regarding the proposed changes to Southgate’s easements, residents say ARA Australia hasn’t committed to any further consultation as it awaits approval from Minister for Planning Richard Wynne.

Southbank News understands 25 individual Quay West residents have sent letters of objection to the Minister for Planning since December in relation to the proposal, which they say remain unanswered. Quay West residents say they have also been in discussions with neighbours at 28 Southgate as more locals seek answers from ARA into potential impacts of the proposal.

In a letter addressed to the Minister for Planning, one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had only learned about the plans to demolish existing buildings on Quay West’s doorstep in July last year.

“I am not, in principle, opposed to the development but strongly believe that there must be significantly more consultation with affected parties prior to planning approval,” the letter read.

“It is critical that the approvals process for such a prominent site, with significant implications on the liveability and amenity of residents in the precinct, involves an appropriate consultation process.”

“The consultation to date has been limited to the variation of easements. This low level of consultation is not appropriate, and consultation must be undertaken much more widely.”

Residents also argue that the proposed 21-storey office tower did not adhere to the Melbourne Planning Scheme (DDO60) and would undermine the “special character” of existing low-scale urban form along the Yarra River corridor.

In response to issues raised by residents, a spokesperson for ARA Australia told Southbank News that it was currently following “standard application process”, which involved the submission of high-level master planning to the authorities.

“Should these high-level plans be approved we will be holding a number of consultation and feedback sessions for residents and community members, to help inform the next stages of detailed planning,” the spokesperson said.

“Subject to approval of our development application, detailed construction management plans (including traffic management) must be prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities for approval prior to works commencing. These plans will also be communicated to residents.”

“We have not been privy to the [25] letters referenced at this stage. We encourage those members of the community with any questions or concerns to contact us directly – we have an email set up for this purpose [email protected].”

The spokesperson added that ARA was “very excited” to provide an additional 2000 sqm of public open space to Southbank, known as the “River Meadow”, as part of its proposal and that the City of Melbourne would play a key role in managing the space.

It also argued that the variation to the public easements were “minor” and that the adjustment would result in increased functionality, improved access and a “better overall outcome” for the likes of Quay West and St John’s Church •