Political heavyweights join campaign against 16-storey Hawthorn tower

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Vacant except for a trio of empty shopfronts and the odd patch of grass, this land in the heart of one of Hawthorn’s busiest shopping strips must be developed, everyone agrees.

But a new proposal to build a 16-storey tower at 846-858 Glenferrie Road – twice the height that has already been approved and four storeys above state government-imposed activity centre height limits – has sparked backlash from residents and political heavyweights in the inner east.

Boroondara Community Group President Jane Oldham said the site at 850 Glenferrie Road must be developed but is among locals concerned about a new 16-storey proposal.Justin McManus

Last year, Boroondara Council granted permission to build an eight-storey building comprising 41 apartments and retail space on the site.

Now the developer wants to increase the number of apartments to 78 and has sought permission directly from Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny for the $65 million development through a government pathway that bypasses councils for planning approvals.

Some 17.5 per cent of apartments would be affordable housing or the developer would make a cash contribution equivalent to 5.25 per cent of costs, which is above minimum requirements, plans show.

No decision has been made, and Boroondara Council is urging the state government to stick to its own height limits and cap the building at 12 storeys, while federal MP for Kooyong Monique Ryan and former opposition leader John Pesutto are among residents supportive of the building topping out at eight levels.

Boroondara Community Group president Jane Oldham, a local who advocates for better liveability in the inner east, also believes the site is perfect for an eight-storey development with housing.

Oldham wants to spread out development in locations close to transport or activity and is concerned the new proposal will overshadow Glenferrie Road, which could undermine efforts to develop that end of the strip by attracting bars, restaurants and cafes.

“The concern with 16 storeys is about overdevelopment of a site that will impact on the amenity of future residents and of the public on Glenferrie Road,” she said.

Boroondara Council has no decision-making power but is pushing for the development to be limited to 12 storeys. Mayor Wes Gault has urged the planning minister to pay attention to concerns about overshadowing, the amount of affordable housing, landscaping and public amenity.

“If the minister allows this proposal to be built as designed, ignoring the [height] rules she put in place just months ago, it will be clear community views are irrelevant to this government, and the community should have no confidence in the state’s planning scheme,” he said.

“We’re not arguing for the status quo or trying to stop developments – we agree this is a great site for a new development.”

Glenferrie Road Traders Association president Rajna Jollie said she was concerned a 16-storey development would change the look of the street and affect the shopping precinct’s vibrant atmosphere.

An artist’s impression of a proposed 16-storey tower in Hawthorn.Outline Projects

“We want to protect small businesses in these small local areas that have boutique-type style shopping experiences for our customers and our community,” she said.

Hawthorn MP and former opposition leader John Pesutto described the proposal as “totally inappropriate” for the area, and hit out at the Labor government’s development facilitation pathway, which bypasses councils.

“This is becoming a bit of a parody, it’s pretending to be a process where it’s really just an opportunity for a government, in my frank opinion, to slam onto communities projects like this,” Pesutto told a council meeting this week.

Federal MP for Kooyong Monique Ryan said she supported mixed-use, medium-density housing at the site.

“I’m very much in favour of increased housing in Hawthorn and surrounding suburbs that’s done in a sensitive and inclusive way,” Ryan told the meeting.

A $65 million 16-storey development is proposed for Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. Justin McManus

“But I’m deeply opposed to the lack of clarity and assurance regarding the affordable housing component of this site and to the state government’s failure to consult communities like us adequately.”

Several neighbouring residents expressed concerns about the proposal at the council meeting, while others were broadly supportive of efforts to create more housing.

Peter Forsyth, managing director of the site’s developer, Outline Projects, said he was aware of community feedback and would work through the issues with the Department of Transport and Planning.

He said he was excited to deliver the “exemplar project” with leading architecture firm Wardle, and emphasised the application included generous affordable housing above government requirements.

“We have engaged in the planning approval process via the state government’s planning pathway and have worked through a detailed design process in the context of the state government’s recent planning reforms for activity centres,” he said.

YIMBY Melbourne lead organiser Jonathan O’Brien said taller buildings were more cost-effective for developers.

“People have this idea that quite tall buildings will ruin character. It’s not necessarily clear to me that people really notice how tall a building is once it’s built,” he said.

“What tends to be more important is what’s at that ground level, and it seems like this is going to have an active frontage with retail people can engage with.”

A Victorian government spokesperson claimed the council was blocking new homes in suburbs like Hawthorn and Kew which had the effect of “locking out” workers, families and young Victorians from well-connected areas.

“We’ve been focused on overhauling our planning system to get more homes built so more families and young Victorians can live close to what matters to them,” they said.

“Any proposal will be considered on its merits, and as this application is currently under assessment, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

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Rachael Ward is a journalist in the City team at The Age. Contact her at rachael.ward@theage.com.auConnect via email.