Save Dimmeys. Statement. Special Council Meeting

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2011. RICHMOND TOWN HALL. 333 BRIDGE ROAD RICHMOND. 6.
30pm
140-160 Swan Street, Cremorne, Victoria is a landmark site. Home of the Dimmeys Store.
Save Dimmeys believes Yarra Council should REFUSE the Planning Permit Application PLN10/0734 for
140 Swan Street, Cremorne from applicant Richmond Icon Pty Ltd for the construction of an oval shaped
residential tower rising to 10 Storeys in the south western corner of the site and other associated works
on the following grounds:
1. The proposed height and bulk of the proposed building is inappropriate having regard to the
neighbourhood context and policies with the Yarra Planning Scheme.
2. The height and scale of the proposed building would dominate the heritage place, which
essentially compromises the shopping strip along Swan Street.
3. The proposal would not contribute to the built form character of the surrounding area in a positive
way taking into account various local policies.
4. The proposal would create unnecessary amenities impacts.
5. The proposed application is contrary to the orderly planning of the area.
The proposed height and bulk of the building is inappropriate having regard to the neighbourhood context
and policies within the planning scheme. The height and scale of the proposed building would dominate
the heritage place, which essentially oversees the shopping strip in Swan Street. We believe that the
proposal would not contribute to the built form character of the surrounding area in a positive way taking
into account various local policies. There is considerable concern about the capacity of the existing road
network like Byron Street to adequately support two-way vehicular traffic given the narrowness of the
street. It is accepted Council policy that new buildings within the vicinity of landmarks must be designed to
ensure these landmarks remain as the principle built reference. We contend that the proposed 10 Storey
Residential Tower is excessive in height and bulk and will become the new landmark of Swan Street.
Much has been said about form and bulk along the Swan Street Activity Centre, when in true essence the
Council must fall upon local policies and MSS Statements, as there is no Swan Street Structure Plan in
place.
Council’s report [Clause 167], states the proposed development has strong policy support at both State
and local levels, particularly with regard to the sites attributes as a strategic redevelopment site, and
proximity to public transport. Whereas, the MSS Statement does not envisage a 10 Storey Tower on
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Save Dimmeys [email protected] www.Scribd.com/SaveDimmeys www.Issuu.com/SaveDimmeys
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2011. RICHMOND TOWN HALL. 333 BRIDGE ROAD RICHMOND. 6.30pm
Swan Street. The Council’s vision document also does not have the Dimmeys site as a major
redevelopment site. The Council Officers report does not mention Amendment VC75, which was Gazetted
on 16 December 2010. Amendment VC75 amends Clause 16 – Housing of the State Planning Policy
Framework (SPPF) by removing Melbourne @ 5 Million policies relating to intensive housing development
along public transport corridors and around train stations from the clause. In particular, the Amendment
removes reference to locate, in Metropolitan Melbourne, more intense housing development in and
around activity centres. 140 Swan Street, Cremorne (Dimmeys Site) has NOT been specifically identified
as a site for large-scale urban renewal development. Council report [Clause 189, Page 64 of 95] cites a
case Cremorne Corporation Pty Ltd v Yarra City Council [2008] VCAT 1202 (2 July 2008). The case is
about a ten (10) storey residential tower development near Bridge Road. At the time the VCAT decision
was made, Amendment C84 had not been completed. Amendment C84 contains local strategies on land
use and development in the City of Yarra. It provides a vision in key areas such as characteristics.
Amendment C84 has been finalised and approved and incorporated into the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Council report [Clause 14, Page 6 of 95] acknowledges the amenity impacts on adjoining Byron Street
residents. The report also suggests issuing a Planning Permit to the Applicant and then after the issuance
of the permit a qualified professional prepare details to manage the conflicts between traffic generation,
bicycles and pedestrians using the Byron Street Shared Zone. Why have the conflicts between traffic
generation, bicycles and pedestrians in Byron Street not been resolved at this application stage, before
not after, the issuance of a planning permit?
The built form and design provisions and guidelines preferred neighbourhood character provides a
contextual urban design response, reflective of the aspirations of the area. Particular regard must be had
to the acceptability of the design in terms of height and massing, street setbacks, relationship to adjoining
buildings, views and roof forms. This is outlined in [Clause 184]. We contend that the built form and
design response does not meet the provisions and guidelines. The Higher Density Guidelines seek to
ensure that the height of new development responds to the existing urban context and the scale of
surrounding development and pedestrian environment. We contend that the current proposal does not
adequately respond to the existing urban character and context of the surrounding area.
Allan Harris
Secretary
Save Dimmeys
2
Save Dimmeys [email protected] www.Scribd.com/SaveDimmeys www.Issuu.com/SaveDimmeys

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SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING. TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2011. RICHMOND TOWN HALL. 333 BRIDGE ROAD RICHMOND. 6.

on the following grounds:

neighbourhood context and policies with the Yarra Planning Scheme.

essentially compromises the shopping strip along Swan Street.

way taking into account various local policies.

4. The proposal would create unnecessary amenities impacts.

5. The proposed application is contrary to the orderly planning of the area.

not after, the issuance of a planning permit?

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