Former Yorkshire Brewery site (1-21 Robert St, Collingwood)
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has directed Council to issue a permit for a redevelopment of the former Yorkshire Brewery site at 1-21 Robert Street, Collingwood.
Council resolved to refuse a permit for the proposed development in October 2012 on the grounds that its scale and height would dominate surrounding streetscapes, that it did not fit the neighbourhood character of the precinct, and that it was seen as an overdevelopment of the site.
VCAT set Council's decision aside and ordered a planning permit to be issued on 27 March 2013.
The full VCAT decision can be read here: 
VCAT Order - SMA Projects V Yarra CC - 27 March 2013 (72.61 KB)
Construction Proposal
The proposal from SMA Projects is to construct a mixed use, but predominantly residential development on the site.
A number of buildings of heritage significance on the site are to be restored, adapted and integrated into the proposed development, while the silos and some buildings are to be demolished.
The new residential buildings range in height from 3 storeys to 17 storeys.
Two basement levels are proposed.
A neighbourhood square is also proposed at ground level.
A total of 350 dwellings (1, 2 and 3 bedrooms) and 336 parking spaces are proposed.
The majority of the parking is to be provided in independently operating stacker systems.
Application History
Council sought community feedback on the original development proposal from SMA Projects in late 2011.
Forty five community members objected to the proposal.
In mid 2012, the developer submitted amended plans for the site aimed at addressing some of the concerns raised by the objectors and Council's planners.
The main changes from the original plans were:
- Total number of apartments increased from 349 to 350
- Total number of car parking spaces reduced from 348 to 336
- Increased setbacks between the central apartment building and the north-west apartment building (14 storeys) to a minimum of 7.2m
- An additional setback of 6m average is provided to levels 13-16 of the 17 storey apartment building from Waterloo Road
- A reduced setback of the north-western apartment building to a minimum of 15.7m from the north-south carriageway
- A total of 200 onsite storage cages would be provided.
The matter returned to Council in October 2012, where Council resolved to refuse a permit for the proposed development on the grounds that its scale and height would dominate surrounding streetscapes, that it did not fit the neighbourhood character of the precinct, and that it was seen as an overdevelopment of the site.
The motion supported by Council also recognised that overshadowing of a neighbourhood square within the development site as well as windows and private open space areas, also within the site, would adversely impact amenity.
In October 2012, the developer lodged an appeal against Council’s refusal to issue permit with VCAT.
Here is more information on:
Amended Plan documents
Heritage Victoria grants permit for redevelopment
Original planning application and supporting documents
VCAT Hearing
The VCAT hearing was held over five days from the 4 – 8 February 2013. Please find below the evidence files for Council and the applicant.
Council Evidence
23012013-VCAT Hearing Council Evidence (3.32 MB)
Applicant's Evidence
Environmental Sustainable Design Evidence.pdf (728.54 KB)
Environmental Wind Speed Evidence.pdf (2.35 MB)
Evidence Montages_Part1.pdf (2.10 MB)
Evidence Montages_Part2.pdf (2.07 MB)
Evidence Montages_Part3.pdf (2.43 MB)
Evidence Montages_Part4.pdf (381.02 KB)
Evidence Statement for Montages.pdf (43.50 KB)
Heritage Evidence_Part1.pdf (2.37 MB)
Heritage Evidence_Part2.pdf (1.57 MB)
Peer Review Economic Assessment.pdf (313.19 KB)
Statement of Evidence.pdf (1.88 MB)
Traffic Evidence.pdf (2.31 MB)
Urban Design Evidence.pdf (1.96 MB)
Amended Plan documents
Please find below the amended plans that have been submitted by the applicant to Council.
Summary of Changes (41.77 KB)
Amended Plans (Part One) (1.97 MB)
Amended Plans (Part Two) (1.46 MB)
Amended Plans (Part Three) (1.43 MB)
Amended Plans (Part Four) (2.06 MB)
Amended Waste Management Plan (122.23 KB)
Updated Acoustic Report (1.36 MB)
Amended Plans - Perspective (2.48 MB)
Landscaping works to Robert Street (449.25 KB)
Heritage Victoria grants permit for redevelopment
In April 2012, Heritage Victoria granted developer SMA Projects a permit for its proposed redevelopment of the former Yorkshire Brewery site.Heritage Victoria did not require any changes to be made to the original plans submitted by SMA.
As the brewery site is on the Victorian Heritage Register, the applicant was required to seek a permit from Heritage Victoria. This is in addition to the requirement to seek a permit from Council for the redevelopment.
Heritage Victoria asked Council for its comments on the heritage impact of the proposal. At a Special Council meeting on 8 November 2011, Council decided to tell Heritage Victoria that it objected to the redevelopment on heritage grounds. Here is a media release about Council's decision.
Original planning application and supporting documents
Application for Planning Permit (Part One) (2.80MB)
Application for planning permit (Part Two) (1.97MB)
Application for Planning Permit (Part Three) (1.52MB)
Urban Context Report (Part One) (2.46MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Two) (1.18MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Three) (1.57MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Four) (2.67MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Five) (1.51MB)
Urban-Context-Report-(Part-Six) (392.89kB)
Urban Context Report (Part Seven) (1.90MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part One) (2.40MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Two) (1.79MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Three) (1.45MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Four) (1.57MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Five) (1.83MB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Six) (889.19kB)
Architectural Drawings (Part Seven) (2.46MB)
Basement (339.09kB)
Elevation Plan - Stables (46.99kB)
Elevation Plan - Brew Tower (66.54kB)
Heritage Impact Statement (2.31MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part One) (2.10MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Two) (2.01MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Three) (1.79MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Four) (2.04MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Five) (2.88MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Six) (2.85MB)
Conservation Management Plan (Part Seven) (1.80MB)
Higher Density Development Assessment (81.14kB)
Landscape Report (1,012.86kB)
Landscape Concept Plan (948.05kB)
Traffic Report (3.22MB)
Car Parking - Double Stacker (Type One) (434.82kB)
Car Parking - Double Stacker (Type Two) (511.73kB)
Car Parking - Triple Stacker (203.66kB)
Sustainability Management Plan (685.05kB)
Waste Management Plan (291.15kB)
Summary of Economic Assessment (60.56kB)
Wind Report (1.64MB)
Acoustic Report (1.36MB)
Finishes Board (405.86kB)
Further information
Sarah Thomas
Senior Statutory Planner
9205 5005
Sarah.Thomas@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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