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SmithStreet.org « CAG « News « Banco blows deadline - Plans for Smith Street in disarray

In the latest turn of events surrounding the controversial monster development proposal for Smith Street Collingwood, developer Banco has failed to meet its own deadline of 31 January 2005 to submit revised plans to Yarra Council.

Collingwood Action Group (CAG) spokesperson Ms Cliodhna Rae said the news yesterday from Yarra Council about Banco's no-show was a surprise to the community.

Banco's proposal has been dogged by controversy, secrecy and accusations of bungling since Yarra Council first received the application for a massive high-rise mixed-use development on Smith Street, Collingwood back in March 2004. Although the original plans – including 3 towers rising to 9 stories, a 24 hour supermarket, 250 apartments and 400 space car park – attracted a record 1500 objections Yarra Council failed to make a decision within the prescribed 60 day period.

Concerns about Banco's proposal being a 'test case' under Melbourne 2030 – the State Government's planning policy – triggered the release by Professor Miles Lewis of the critical report 'Inner urban conservation and development' with contributions from high profile University of Melbourne academics and other planning experts.

Yarra Council went on to stage a series of imposed confidential meetings with the developer and CAG, representing the 1500 objectors. In October CAG advised Council that while Banco's schematic drawings tabled at the end of the talks were 'moving in the right direction' they did not address concerns raised by the community and Lewis's panel report, and were too vague to form a position.

At Yarra's last Council meeting in 2004 before the November local government elections, the Greens' motion calling for Council to refuse the plans was outflanked amidst confusing scenes in the chamber. The motion was unwittingly turned into a resolution requesting Banco to substitute the current plans with amended plans arising from the secret talks. A later request by Banco to extend the earlier deadline until 31 January 2005 was granted at the first meeting of the new Council in December 2004. According to Ms Rae, CAG supported granting the extension on condition that Banco take on board community and expert views in their revised plans.

Ms Rae pointed out that CAG had done considerable work with Council and the developers to establish the community's view on criteria for appropriate development for Smith Street. This was backed up by a solid body of expert opinion in the independent panel report covering issues such as architecture, heritage, neighbourhood character and amenity.

Despite their failure to submit new plans, Banco can still take the matter to VCAT. If this happens, the resolution from Yarra's December meeting would see Council ask the Planning Minister to 'call in' the application.

CAG intends to continue working on this issue with the three new Ward Councillors and local MP Richard Wynne, who are all on record as opposing Banco's development proposal. It is expected that Yarra Council will hold a public meeting in March to update the community on the latest news, Council's decision on the proposal, and what could happen next.

Ms Rae also said that CAG's offer made previously to Yarra Council still stands to work with Council on a community consultation process that agrees on an appropriate building envelope for this site and the Smith Street precinct
generally.