The DOCKLANDS on SMITH Street?

Over 60 people, including MP Richard Wynne and Yarra Councillor Deborah Di Natale, recently attended a public meeting to voice concerns over plans for a 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 12-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 12-storeys high).
• 400 carparks over 3 levels

The complex will dwarf the historic Foy & Gibson complex, the tallest edifices in the area.

Negative impact of the proposed development 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 spokesperson, Dominik Kucera, said, "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."

The Yarra Council will facilitate an information session to be held at the Collingwood Town Hall next Monday (19th April) from 6pm-8pm.

CONTACTS:
For further comments, please contact Dominik Kucera, tel: 0409 145 638
Concerned residents can contact: collingwoodactiongroup@yahoo.com.au