Controversial Planning Policy Claims Eastern Suburbs Most Prized Development Site
The development will complement another Arno project being marketed in St Kilda, called The Face, on the site of Acland Street’s former Greasy Joe’s restaurant.
The Camberwell land is controlled by State Government arm VicTrack which is increasingly undertaking public-private ventures to develop upon its vast tracts of land near transport nodes – a strategy in line with Melbourne @ 5 Million.
The Place, with a street address of 2R Cookson Street, will be a mixed use village of shops, offices and apartments, built around a new podium which also acts as a Camberwell train station entrance.
Arno is responsible for several “love it or hate it” developments including the Isis building in Domain Road, South Yarra, and S Residences in Mathoura Road, Toorak.
The tallest Camberwell building is 13 levels (including three levels of underground car parking), and includes 3234 square metres of office space and 120 dwellings. A second, smaller three-level office and retail building is also earmarked for the site.
Coincidentally in 2004, then Planning Minister and ex-ABC journalist Mary Delahunty tried to diffuse “wild fears” any building on the station could soar ten levels.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal conditionally approved the Camberwell Station redevelopment during the economic downturn, and is expected to make a judgment about a reviewed application next month.
Images of a proposed new development appeared on industry websites this month.
In early 2004, Mr Rush was joined by entertainer Barry Humphries protesting the higher density redevelopment of the station, asking a question and echoing a sentiment since muttered by many silenced protesters: “Are State Government and developers in cahoots? Our quality of life is under threat.”
Elsewhere in the area, 38-level apartment towers are earmarked for sites in South Yarra and Box Hill.
The Melbourne @ 5 Million policy has been criticised for giving VCAT rationale to determine planning developments that are in line with the strategy’s higher-density objectives.
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