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Media Release
4 February 2009
Yarra Council responds to panel report on Victoria Gardens expansion
Yarra City Council is requesting the State Government undertake a transport study aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and public transport delays in the Victoria Street East precinct, which is undergoing major redevelopment.
Council is making the request as part of its response to Planning Minister Justin Madden, who provided Council with an opportunity to comment on a Priority Development Panel report.
The report recommended the Government approve increases in the ‘as-of- right’ floor space of the Victoria Gardens shopping centre (from 30,000 sqm to 55,000 sqm of office space and from 18,000 sqm to 36,000 sqm of shop space).
It also recommended the green light be given to an increase in the height controls of adjoining land designated for residential development, from five to seven storeys.
City of Yarra Mayor Cr Amanda Stone said Council supported the panel’s recommendation that a thorough traffic and transport analysis of the area be undertaken.
Cr Stone said local residents had repeatedly raised concerns with Council that the mooted shopping centre expansion would exacerbate existing traffic congestion in the area.
“The local traffic network already operates at capacity during peak periods and beyond,” Cr Stone said.
“Council is seeking State Government leadership to fund and undertake, in partnership with us, a precinct-wide transport study.
“The study would review all existing transport modes including public transport, car and freight movements, cycling routes and pedestrian movements.
“It would also examine potential and necessary improvements to existing services including the re-introduction of the former bus services along Burnley Street and the extension of existing tram services.”
Cr Stone said Council agreed with the panel’s recommendation that the shopping centre’s street frontages be improved.
“We support the panel’s recommendation to make the shopping centre more accessible for pedestrians, and to provide for more active street frontages,” Cr Stone said.
She said Council supported maintaining the existing controls on the centre’s floor space rather than increasing the ‘as-of-right’ floor space.
“We think additional floor space should continue to be a matter subject to a normal planning permit process,” Cr Stone said.
“There should be an opportunity to consider the possible impact of any increase in the centre’s floor space on other local activity centres, and possible effects on the local transport network,” she said.
“Local planning officers are in the best position to assess those matters.
“We also think the existing height controls on the site closer to the river should be maintained as there is no certainty that changing the height controls will result in better open space outcomes or setbacks from the river.
“If Council were to consider supporting increases in the mandatory height controls, there would need to be inbuilt provisions requiring better open space outcomes and setbacks from the river.”
She said Council looked forward to working with the developer to address the desired changes in a manner which provided a good outcome for the community, the river environment and the whole precinct.
Further information
For media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
Email ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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