SAVE WILLIAMSTOWN
SAVE WILLIAMSTOWN
Council moves to cap height for former Woollen Mills site
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hobsons Bay City Council has requested the Minister for Planning to introduce mandatory height controls, car parking requirements and developer contributions into the Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme for the remainder of the former Port Phillip Woollen Mills site in Williamstown.
Mandatory height limits are part of a range of measures Council is seeking to achieve more appropriate planning outcomes for the site.
The other changes centre on ensuring there was adequate car parking provided within the precinct, seeking a developer contribution to community infrastructure, and that Council remains the planning authority for the site.
Strand Ward Cr Peter Hemphill said mandatory height limits ranging from 10 to 25 metres could be introduced to the precinct through a Ministerial amendment to the planning scheme.
“While we’ve always supported appropriate redevelopment of the site, Council’s position for many years has been to protect the mainly low-rise heritage and coastal character of Williamstown,” said Cr Hemphill.
“This decision now paves the way for the Victorian Labor Government to come good on their pledge to support a planning scheme amendment with their own to introduce mandatory height limits for this site.
“They are the same height controls, car parking requirements and developer contributions that were recommended by a Ministerial Port Phillip Woollen Mills Advisory Committee which spent more than 15 days listening to heritage, traffic and urban design experts to reach their independent decision back in May 2011.
“We accept that these mandatory heights can’t be applied to existing planning permits for the former Woollen Mills site but we believe that mandatory heights are a far better outcome for the remaining planning applications to follow.”
Cr Hemphill said Williamstown already suffered from a significant lack of parking near the site and it was important the developer ensured there was more than adequate parking within the development’s boundaries.
Cr Hemphill said the developer recently made overtures to Council that it was prepared to retain the heritage Nugget Factory in return for dropping the proposed planning scheme amendment.
“By doing so, the developer has made it clear it recognises the Nugget Factory has heritage value,” Cr Hemphill said.
“I challenge the developer to retain the Nugget Factory irrespective of the Council’s decision.”
Strand Ward Councillor Angela Altair said Council had fought hard over the years for mandatory height controls and were dismayed when the panel’s recommendations were overturned by the former Minister for Planning.
“The clumsy planning controls introduced by the former Minister for Planning Matthew Guy provided no certainty and led us to where we are today,” said Cr Altair.
“Indicative height controls allow the developer to build as high as they like and we were unclear about what, if any, developer contributions had to be paid.
“This necessary amendment really takes us back to the panel’s original recommendations.
“We know that a development of such a large scale will add hundreds of new residents and place huge pressure on our roads and schools.
“Our amendment will ensure the developer contributes to the cost of upgrading these public works to help us cope with the boost to population.
“Council acknowledges that there will most likely be housing intensification around our major activity centres, but the density needs to be appropriate to its surroundings and driven by a balance of good living outcomes rather than purely the highest financial return to the developer.”
Cr Altair and Cr Hemphill both thanked local MP Wade Noonan and the Labor Government for bringing forward the offer of a planning scheme amendment for the site.
Wednesday, 25 February 2015