379-387 Punt Road, Cremorne
In May 2012, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) approved a six storey residential and office development at 379-387 Punt Road, Cremorne.
VCAT ordered the removal of two storeys from the eight storey proposal that had been submitted by developer A Genser & Associates.
VCAT concluded that the eight storey proposal was "too tall and bulky". Here is the 
VCAT decision regarding 379-387 Punt Road, Cremorne (181.00 KB).
The developer had originally proposed a 33-storey development for the site but revised its proposal back to 12-storeys in an application to Council last year.
In February, the developer appealed to VCAT against Council’s failure to determine the 12-storey application within 60 days.
Later the same month, Council resolved to oppose the 12-storey proposal for several reasons including that its height and scale were out of character with the neighbourhood surrounds. Eighty-nine people had objected to Council against the proposal.
Taking on board feedback from Council and objectors, the developer reduced the proposal to an eight-storey development in amended plans submitted to VCAT.
Here is a media release issued by Council following the VCAT decision.
Here is more information on:
Amended plans lodged with VCAT
Evidence associated with the VCAT hearing
Council's position
Background
Amended plans lodged with VCAT
The applicant submitted amended plans to VCAT. The main changes to what was previously proposed are:
- Reduction in height by four levels so that what is being proposed now is an eight-storey building
- Reduction in the number of apartments from 123 to 91
- Reduction in on-site car parking spaces from 152 spaces to 119 spaces
- Redesign of the facade.
VCAT ordered that the following documents be published on Council's website ahead of the hearing:
Statement of changes (VCAT hearing) (478.44 KB)
Design Response (VCAT hearing) (1.96 MB)
Floor Plans (VCAT hearing) (2.69 MB)
Elevations (VCAT hearing) (1.19 MB)
Shadow diagrams (VCAT hearing) (2.48 MB)
Sections & Typical Plan (VCAT hearing) (773.73 KB)
Evidence associated with the VCAT hearing
In accordance with the orders of the tribunal, here is the evidence associated with the VCAT proceedings provided by those parties relying on evidence:
Council Evidence
Urban Design - Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd (1.15 MB)
Urban Design - SJB Urban (681.21 KB)
Traffic - O'Brien Traffic (1.12 MB)
Permit Applicant Evidence
Planning - Andrew Biacsi (1.63 MB)
Urban Design - Tim Biles
Traffic - Traffix Group (Part One) (2.20 MB)
Traffic - Traffix Group (Part Two) (2.25 MB)
Environmentally Sustainable Design Outcomes - Ark Resources (1.08 MB)
Visual Amenity - Orbit Visualization (1.72 MB)
Visual Amenity - Montages - Orbit Visualization (Part One) (2.45 MB)
Visual Amenity - Montages - Orbit Visualizatio (Part Two) (2.28 MB)
Visual Amenity - Montages - Orbit Visualization (Part Three) (2.53 MB)
Visual Amenity - Montages - Orbit Visualization (Part Four) (2.84 MB)
Council's position
In February 2012, Council determined its position on the application. Council's planning officers determined that if Council had been in a position to decide on the application, it would have refused to issue a permit. Council argued this position at the VCAT hearing.
The grounds for this refusal would have been:
- that the scale, height and architectural quality of the proposed development does not respond to the site context nor fit into the emerging built form context and streetscape
- the proposed development will have a monolithic appearance and will be visually dominating in Punt Road and the immediate surrounding area (failing to comply with the Neighbourhood Character of the precinct)
- the proposed development fails to adequately respond to the off-site amenity impacts on the immediate neighbours to the north, south and east through overlooking, overshadowing and visual bulk, and
- the proposed vehicular access will create an unreasonable impact on amenity and safety within surrounding streets, particularly along Rout, Huckerby and Wellington Streets.
Background
Council sought community feedback on the application from A Genser and Associates in late 2011. The application involved changes to a previous plan for the site which was advertised for community comment earlier in 2011.
The amended application provided for:
- A 12-storey building over three basement levels of car parking, and five three-storey townhouses (plus roof decks).
- A total of 123 dwellings, comprising 94 one-bedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units, and five two-bedroom and study units.
- An office (with existing use rights) at ground floor level.
- Vehicle entry to the site from Huckerby Street to three levels of basement car parking. Individual at grade car parking is proposed for the townhouses.
- A total of 152 car parking spaces (128 for residents, 15 for visitors and 9 for office staff), therefore requiring a reduction in the standard number of car parking spaces required
- Forty bicycle spaces for residents and 12 visitor spaces.
- Alterations to Huckerby Street to widen the roadway.
Some of the main differences from the previous proposal include: the reduction of the proposal by one storey (the previous proposal was for a 13-storey development) and the removal of plans for a cafe.
Planning application and supporting documents
Town Planning and Urban Context Report (1.87MB)
Plans (Part One) (2.73MB)
Plans (Part Two) (2.67MB)
Plans (Part Three) (2.87MB)
Urban Context Report (Part One) (1.46MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Two) (1.95MB)
Urban Context Report (Part Three) (2.49MB)
Urban Design Response (1.60MB)
Visual Amenity Evidence (Part One) (2.39MB)
Visual Amenity Evidence (Part Two) (2.39MB)
Visual Amenity Evidence (Part Three) (2.03MB)
Traffic Report (Part One) (2.01MB)
Traffic Report (Part Two) (2.16MB)
Shadow Diagrams (Part One) (2.70MB)
Shadow Diagrams (Part Two) (2.62MB)
Shadow Diagrams (Part Three) (1.38MB)
Design Response Plan (2.28MB)
Sustainability Report (644.69kB)
Waste-Recycling Management Plan (1.27MB)
Acoustic Assessment (1.40MB)
Display Board (100.57kB)
Further information
Matthew Cohen
Coordinator - Statutory Planning
9205 5123
Matthew.Cohen@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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