What is Amendment C70 and why is it controversial?
Tooronga Village and brick works site is owned by Coles Myer. Coles Myer does not own its Headquarters—that is leased. In late 2004, Stockland agreed to buy the land, subject to planning approvals. On 5 September 2005, Stockland lodged with Boroondara Council a concept plan for the site. The site needs to be re-zoned to enable the plans to proceed. This is called a planning scheme amendment.
Proposed planning scheme amendments need to be exhibited, or advertised, to the community to allow the site to be re-zoned.
Boroondara Council agrees to exhibit Stockland's concept plans but with modifications
In October 2005, Boroondara Council asked the Minister for Planning for permission to exhibit Stockland's plans but with these modifications:
- Providing parking for the 500-plus Coles Myer cars currently parked on the brickworks site. (In fact, there are usually 700-plus Coles Myer cars parked on the brickworks site.)
- A 30 metre setback of buildings from Gardiners Creek to respect the open space of the shared path and creek.
- Reducing the height of the towers so no new building is higher than the Coles Myer headquarters and that built form steps down the site. Council reduced the height of the tower near Toorak Road by 4.9 metres, and the height of the second tower near Tooronga Road by 4 metres.
- Increase the setback of the tower near Toorak Road to lessen its impact on the streetscape, and that the upper levels were further setback to 30 metres.
Minister for Planning orders Council to exhibit plans without modifications
In January 2006, the Minister insisted that the Stockland plan be exhibited without the above modifications. Council offered to exhibit both plans—Stockland's and the Council's modified version—but the Minister refused and ordered the Council to exhibit the Stockland plan or he would.
The Council said it would not advertise something it believed to be fundamentally flawed and inappropriate for the site. Council believes the site should be redeveloped generally in line with the Urban Design Framework that Council prepared in 2001 with the support of the local community and Coles Myer.
Minister seizes planning control—Council and residents will have little say
In April 2006 the Minister decided to exhibit the proposal himself and become the planning authority. When a Council does not want a Minister to intervene the Minister needs a reason. He has done so by saying that Tooronga Village is a site of State significance. Despite numerous requests, no explanation has been given as to why a neighbourhood shopping centre is a site of State significance.
When the Minister published the notice he added that not only would he be the planning authority for the amendment process, but also for the Development Plan process. This is the most critical stage of the planning process. This means that when detailed plans are submitted they will go to the Minister. Council will have no say in the design of the buildings or centre. And there will be no avenue to take objections to VCAT.
During May 2006, Stockland's concept plans for the Tooronga Village and brickworks site were exhibited.
Objections to the Amendment
Objections to Amendment C70 can be submitted to the Minister for Planning up to the date of the Panel Hearing on July 10, though you may not now be able to speak at the Panel Hearing. For further information about making a submission see what you can do. Each additional objection will make a difference.