Kew residents are fighting a proposed 18-storey tower that exceeds activity centre height limits, as the planning minister weighs the fate of the former Leo’s supermarket site.
Developer Orchard Piper, backed by billionaire businessman James Packer, is pushing to build 194 apartments and 19 retail spaces in a spot previously occupied by Leo’s Fine Food and Wine.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and teal challenger Sophie Torney – who will contest the seat of Kew at November’s state election – are both railing against the project’s fast-tracking and height.
The Coalition has stepped up its opposition to Labor’s high-density push, which has targeted inner-east councils such as Boroondara for their historically low housing growth, vowing to hand planning powers back to local communities if elected.
The development would include four separate buildings, ranging from four to 18 storeys high, with parking relocated underground and a new open space created. It would exceed the recently gazetted 16-storey limit for the site’s location within the Kew Junction activity centre.
The developer is bypassing council and seeking approval directly from the planning minister through the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), which allows the state to override local regulations – including activity centre limits – to fast-track major housing projects that include affordable housing.
Kew local Margherita Ferri is among an active group of neighbouring residents concerned the plans could drive up traffic, overshadow the area and change the feel of the neighbourhood.
With existing tall buildings around the junction reaching 12 storeys, Ferri believes 10 storeys would be more appropriate given the site sits at the top of a hill.
“They’ve just decided to go ahead and bulldoze this onto us,” Ferri said.
“We absolutely see it as a perfect opportunity for some revitalisation of that area. What we would like is it to be in keeping with the Kew landscape and the neighbourhood.”
Ferri has submitted a formal objection and launched an online petition signed by more than 400 people.
The Kew resident is also worried about an influx of cars to the one-way street she lives on situated between the proposed development and a Woolworths.
The site is located within an area of the Kew activity centre that allows for buildings up to 16 storeys tall, while a few hundred metres away Development Victoria plans to build 500 apartments at a former VicRoads site.
The state government-mandated activity centres have increased density limits in 60 sites across Melbourne that are close to public transport.
University of Melbourne urban planning professor Alan March said the proposal would be “transformational”. He said the junction was already congested and lacked a train station, while its bus and tram routes were busy.
The state government has previously pointed out development across Melbourne over the past three decades has been uneven, with outer-suburban areas such as Wyndham growing more than 400 per cent while Boroondara grew 24 per cent.
However, March likened that to comparing apples and oranges, saying successive governments had overseen “rampant” spread on the urban fringe without steady, managed development in middle and inner areas.
“I really don’t see why we have to go to such extremes of height when we could increase height by one or two storeys across the city and achieve much greater benefits using existing infrastructure,” he said.
Orchard Piper director Luke McKie, who lives in Kew, said the 18-storey section of the development was strategically placed so overshadowing and amenity was contained while meeting or exceeding planning requirements.
He said the proposal was strongly informed by community feedback on activity centres, a comprehensive review process was undertaken and ten per cent of homes would be dedicated to affordable housing for key and essential workers.
“We have conceived this project as a new heart for Kew, introducing a curated mix of destinational [sic] retail and hospitality that better meets the community’s needs, including a high-quality produce offering comparable to the much-loved Leo’s,” he said.
Boroondara Council has passed a motion calling for the development to be limited to 16 storeys.
Mayor Wes Gault said the council expected the minister would incorporate their feedback while negotiations continue with the developer on parking access, upgraded public spaces and affordable housing.
“While we know this is an exceptional location for a mixed-use development of new shops, businesses and homes, there are improvements we would like to see before this is approved,” Gault said.
Wilson, who is seeking her second term as the Kew MP, has released an open letter calling to “protect Kew’s character” and review the development. “Kew locals have no voice and no choice over the future of their own community,” she said.
“Only a Liberal government I lead will return planning powers to the people, and work with councils to deliver more homes.”
Torney, who is challenging Wilson for the seat of Kew and is the current local ward councillor, said she was overall supportive of the development as more housing was needed, but residents’ concerns – including blocked sunlight – were legitimate.
She expressed concerns about the 18-storey proposal and bypassing of council approval.
A Victorian government spokesperson said any proposal would be considered on its merits, and it would be inappropriate to comment as the project was under assessment.
“Kew forms part of our plan for more homes near public transport because of its great connection to trams, schools, services and jobs,” the spokesperson said.
“Jess Wilson’s Liberals have promised to rip up our housing reforms and instead push all new housing to growing areas without the infrastructure to match.”
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