Melbourne Planning Landscape Changed Forever Because of Melbourne 2030 Policy

TWO disused bowling alleys, north and south of the Yarra River, give an indication of how fast planning attitudes have reformed, as architects, developers and planners maximised the former government’s redundant Melbourne @ 5 Million planning strategy.

In Mentone, some 21 kilometres south of the CBD, council has just rejected plans to replace the Mentone Bowl site with a 170-unit residential village topped by two towers of eight and 12 levels.

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More Northcote Land Rezoned For Residential Use

THE suburb that recently topped a survey assessing Melbourne gentrification levels is continuing to evolve.

Northcote, five kilometres from town, has had a major rezoning approved which will see prominent factories that only a generation ago helped define the suburb, bulldozed and replaced with cafes, shops and apartments.

The rezoning will see the precinct’s residential and retail precinct spill over from High Street into Arthurton Road – and in particular a busy thoroughfare full of factories which connects the strip to the Northcote train station.

Northcote and Maribyrnong, in the north-west, have experienced the most rapid gentrification in Melbourne since 2001, according to a study conducted by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute at Swinburne and Monash universities.

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AMF Northcote Bowl Centre Sells For $6.7 Million to Another Residential Developer

ONE of the northern suburb’s most controversial residential development sites has sold for $6.7 million.

The vacant AMF Northcote Bowl complex at 166 – 174 Victoria Street, on the north-east corner of Separation Street, was listed for sale by Hong Kong based conglomerate Far East Consortium last October.

It paid Macquarie $5 million for the 4716 square metre site in early 2009, and shortly after, convinced VCAT to approve a permit which would see the distinctive centre demolished and replaced with 73 flats and 18 townhouses.

One of the proposal’s criticisms was that the busy intersection, with thin roads, would be even more overrun with cars. Others argue the site’s previous use as a bowling centre would have contributed somewhat to the traffic in the area.

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Hong Kong Listed Developer Far East Consortium to Sell Controversial Melbourne Development Site

HONG Kong based developer Far East Consortium is selling a controversial development site, so that it can concentrate on another one.

Far East, which has been listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange since 1972, can expect about $6.25 million for the former AMF Bowling Centre at the north-east corner of Victoria Road and Separation Street in Northcote.

It paid Macquarie $5 million for the 4716 square metre site in early 2009, before pushing ahead with a major residential proposal.

Macquarie acquired the asset in 2004 when it paid AMF Bowling Centres $67.4 million for its Australian portfolio.

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Glenvill Homes Buys former Joshua Pitt Factory, Northcote

Prestige builder Glenvill Projects Pty Ltd is speculated to be paying about $15 million for the former Joshua Pitt leather manufacturing site which spreads over two streets and 13,450 square metres of prime real estate in Melbourne’s inner-north.

Joshua Pitt has reportedly been based at the 52 – 79 Gadd Street, Northcote property for 121 years.

Glenvill is expected to redevelop the site into a major apartment complex but this could not be confirmed with managing director Len Warson, who was unavailable for comment.

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Another Northcote Commercial Site to be Redeveloped Into Apartments

ANOTHER prominent Northcote commercial property is set to be redeveloped, most likely into a mixed use village with shops and apartment towers.

After 121 years, the building occupied by leather manufacturer Joshua Pitt will be sold, after being rezoned Residential 1.

Manufacturing at the building ceased in 2004.

All up, the 52 – 79 Gadd Street site covers 13,450 square metres over two streets, and has a total street frontage of about 380 metres.

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Former Northcote Bingo Centre to be Redeveloped

RECREATION spaces will make way for apartments in Northcote, again, with the suburb’s former Bingo Centre about to be redeveloped into a $25 million complex.
 
The Queensland-based owner of the property, Baycrown Pty Ltd, expects to start construction of the Home@Northcote development in January.
 
The former hall has been demolished and will make way for a 5-level complex including 55 units, seven home offices, ground floor retail and two levels of underground car parking. Century 21 is marketing the apartments which start at $294,950 with a car park.

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