Inner urban conservation and development - An independent panel report on a proposal for Smith Street, Collingwood, under Melbourne 2030. Edited by Miles Lewis, August 2004. Info + Order your copy
Over 1000 Objections Lodged Against Banco Development!
The City of Yarra Council has been overwhelmed by a record number of objections to the proposed Banco development on Smith St.
To date the council have logged 670 individual objections to the development with a further 500 being processed. The Collingwood Action Group (CAG) estimates that there may be up to 1600 objections to the development, including signatories to group objections.
In comparison the bitterly opposed ‘Cheese greater’ development in Fitzroy attracted around only 300 objections.
Spokesperson for CAG Dominik Kucera said “To get more than 1000 objections to this proposal over a mere ten days is extraordinary!
The community has roundly condemned the proposal and the relevant authorities must take note of the groundswell of pubic concern and act accordingly.
The message is clear: this community does not want inappropriate monster development in our neighbourhood.”
Kucera continued, “This proposal will create the single dominant architectural feature of the area. It will totally overpower the vibrant character of Smith St and destroy the very attributes that it seeks to capitalise on.
The incredible response of residents and traders to the proposed development only serves to highlight the community’s concern that development in the area be intelligent and appropriate.
We may not have the support of celebrities like Geoffrey Rush and Barry Humphries – but we hope the council will listen and respond to the voices of ordinary citizens.”
BACKGROUND
Contacts: Dominik Kucera, tel: 0409 145 638 Email: collingwoodactiongroup@yahoo.com.au
Since it was first proposed the BANCO development has prompted an outpouring of community concern over plans for the monster development on Smith St.
Following on the heels of a string of controversial developments in the City of Yarra area that includes the ‘Cheese Grater’ development in Fitzroy and the proposed Becton development for Cardigan St, Carlton, the Smith St development by Jan & Manton architects could become a benchmark case for unfettered development in the metropolitan area. Smith Street has recently been the subject of a council funded ‘Green Street’ project that aims to grow the community and promote environmental awareness among businesses.
THE PROPOSED 11-STOREY DEVELOPMENT COMPRISES:
- 1 multi-level shopping mall (including 24/7 supermarket and commercial carpark)
- 250 apartments up to 9-storeys high above the mall (ie: up to 11-storeys high).
- 400 carparks over 3 levels
The complex will dwarf the historic Foy & Gibson complex the tallest edifices in the area.
NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE PRECINCT IS SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
- offers no positive community impact to the Smith St precinct
- is not of a sympathetic scale or design for a heritage listed area
- will contribute significantly to the areas’ already high level of noise, traffic congestion and pollution
- will block natural light and privacy of numerous adjoining residential buildings
- will negatively impact on the areas’ public infrastructure, including public transport
- will transform Little Oxford St, one of the most highly populated but quietest streets in the area into a traffic corridor servicing both the development’s commercial and resident carparks, plus 24/7 waste management and delivery trucks for the supermarket.
The Yarra Council area is already the most highly populated area in Australia after Kings Cross.
The newly formed Collingwood Action Group is not against development spokesperson, Dominik Kucera, say, "Smith St deserves better than this! We’re not against development, but we want development that will add something to the street and the community. The only contribution this development will make is to the developer’s bank accounts.
Smith St is a unique precinct with a colourful history that needs careful planning attention. As intelligent citizens we should be seeking to solve its issues, not contribute to them."
CONTACTS:
For further comments, please contact Dominik Kucera, tel: 0409 145 638
Concerned residents can contact: collingwoodactiongroup@yahoo.com.au
Posted by Editor