buzzanddidj wrote on May 25
th, 2011 at 11:50am:
Minister ignored advice on tower
Reid Sexton
May 25, 2011
http://images.theage.com.au/2011/05/25/2383102/art-footscray-tower-200x0.jpgPLANNING Minister Matthew Guy
ignored the advice
of independent consultants
commissioned by the Department of Planning
when he approved a 25-storey tower in Footscray this week, with the development
more than double the recommended height
.
The 80-metre, $90 million development on Moreland Street will dominate the skyline of Melbourne's inner-west when it is completed in 2013.
The Age revealed yesterday that the announcement had triggered a bitter stoush between Mr Guy and Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter, who said Maribyrnong Council had not been consulted on the decision.
A report written by urban designers SJB Urban in June last year and commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development said ''the maximum number of storeys, regardless of land use or building configuration'' should be 12 storeys on the site.
It based this recommendation on previous reports into the former industrial area, which settled on the 12-storey limit based on transport, landscape and economic considerations, among others
.
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said yesterday Mr Guy had
ignored the community, council and important advice paid for by the department.
''People have to ask: who does this man listen to?'' he said
.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/minister-ignored-advice-on-tower-20110524-1f2i... Minister ignored advice on tower Reid Sexton
May 25, 2011
.
Artist's impression of the new tower. Photo: Supplied
PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy ignored the advice of independent consultants commissioned by the Department of Planning when he approved a 25-storey tower in Footscray this week, with the development more than double the recommended height.
The 80-metre, $90 million development on Moreland Street will dominate the skyline of Melbourne's inner-west when it is completed in 2013.
The Age revealed yesterday that the announcement had triggered a bitter stoush between Mr Guy and local ALP mayor Sarah Carter, who said Maribyrnong Council had not been consulted on the decision.
Advertisement: Story continues below She said Footscray's infrastructure would struggle to cope with the people who moved into the tower's 222 apartments and flocked to its shops.
Mr Guy denied the claim, suggesting yesterday that Ms Carter may be taking the stand to further her political career.
But a report written by urban designers SJB Urban in June last year and commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development said ''the maximum number of storeys, regardless of land use or building configuration'' should be 12 storeys on the site.
It based this recommendation on previous reports into the former industrial area, which settled on the 12-storey limit based on transport, landscape and economic considerations, among others.
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said yesterday Mr Guy had ignored the community, council and important advice paid for by the department. ''People have to ask: who does this man listen to?'' he said.
But Mr Guy said last night that the report was commissioned by the previous government and was intended to provide advice only.
He said the large-scale development was necessary to cope with Melbourne's soaring population and would rejuvenate the former industrial area. ''The Planning Minister is the responsible authority for this area and the development fits with the provisions of the vision for the [area],'' he said.
Meanwhile, the government announced yesterday it would dump a proposed road safety experience centre that was set to educate young people on the effects of dangerous driving.
The world-first centre, which was promised by the former government in October at a cost of $50 million over four
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/minister-ignored-advice-on-tower-20110524-1f2iq.html#ixzz1NKDeCAbo