Stonnington City Mayor Warns of Over-Development

Stonnington City Mayor Claude Ullin has warned the number of new apartments proposed for South Yarra this year "is of great concern" to the council.

He said VCAT "has not been very kind" after the council had rejected many proposals, and said the tribunal's overriding approvals risked putting strain on infrastructure and amenity. It further risked affecting the ambience and exclusivity of the suburb.

VCAT has used the contentious Melbourne 2030 policy to approve several high-rise developments in suburban areas. In the past 12 months, developers have proposed about 1000 new apartments in several South Yarra high-rise projects including a 38-level building at the Fun Factory site on the corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street.

High-rise apartments are also planned for land behind the Como Hotel, the Jam Factory, the Lamborghini car dealership, all on Chapel Street, and the precinct west of the South Yarra train station.

Mr Ullin said if VCAT insisted on approving apartment projects, these projects should have public recreation space and prominently feature art.

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