Heritage In Glen Eira – What’s It Worth?

PS: we’ve revisited Amendment C106 which rezoned part of the heritage overlay to Public Utility Zone (Education). There were several objectors to this rezoning, so a Planning Panel was held. The amendment was basically to facilitate the proposed Monash redevelopment which includes the Caulfield Plaza (supermarket) and the construction of 800+ student accommodation residences.

The Planning Panel endorsed the proposed amendment. However some extracts from this panel report are important. They reveal once again how this council can promise the earth (ie reviewing its archaic policies) and years later nothing has happened. We also note that under this zoning of PUZ, buildings DO NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT! This of course was never mentioned in council chamber!

Here are some extracts from the Panel Report. Please note the various dates, and the continued litany of broken promises –

Derby Road shopping centre, noted in the Glen Eira Heritage Management Plan 1996 as being ‘significant at the metropolitan level as a predominantly post‐Federation shopping street….’;

The Amendment does not propose any change to properties affected by the Heritage Overlay. Council will continue to apply existing heritage planning controls and guidance as per the current Heritage Overlay, Heritage Policy and ‘Derby Road Draft Heritage Guidelines June 2003’ as part of the consideration of future proposals for buildings and works at 16‐28 Derby Road.

Council noted that this Policy is based on an urban design framework approved in 1998. Council is looking to review this policy in 2014, together with a number of other local policies.

If approved, the Public Use Zone will allow the development of buildings for educational purposes without the need for a planning permit. The exception to this is the properties at 16‐28 Derby Road, which will require permits for buildings and works due to their location within the Heritage Overlay

Sundry issues raised by objectors include the loss of Council revenue that would result from the rezoning to Public Use (Education); perceived loss of the heritage overlay for some Derby Road properties; urban design issues associated with development of the University campus; and a lack of planned streetscape improvements to Derby Road.

In their written submission, the Council noted that the relevant Clause 22.01 – Phoenix Precinct Policy of the Glen Eira Planning Scheme is based on an urban design framework and that preferred uses for sites facing Derby Road are in accordance with the Derby Road Action Plan 1998 but that the Council is looking to review this policy in 2014

Lastly, the issue of streetscape improvements in Derby Road is beyond the scope of this Amendment but the Panel notes the Council’s intention to review the urban design framework and assumes that the streetscape will form part of that review.

Reprobate Says:

December 3, 2015 at 10:55 PM

Somewhere around $2.5M. Council generally capitulates if estimated development value is above that threshold. Curiously the ad doesn’t mention that the entire place has a Heritage Overlay. As the artist’s illustration demonstrates, a tall development towering over the surroundings would adversely affect the significance of the heritage place. And the precinct is called Phoenix Precinct, not Monash University Precinct. Wonder if the ad breaches the Misleading and Deceptive Conduct provisions of state and federal legislation.

Anon Says:

December 4, 2015 at 6:35 AM

Yeah sure this area has a heritage overlay but that means buggar all in Glen Eira which has only goes through the motions when it comes to heritage or neighbourhood character. This one will be no different.

December 4, 2015 at 8:39 AM

No. 1 Sir John Monash Drive used to be a lovely old building (furniture store), it’s gone for a carpark.

Anony Says:

December 4, 2015 at 8:47 AM

1-3 Bond Street, Caufield East within a stones throw of Derby Road, has a heritage overlay on both it’s stables and house. Sold in 2011 (https://gleneira.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/heritage-whats-going-on/), it’s now got an application in for 8 three storey townhouses.

Gonna be interesting to see what happens, unlike the infamous and disgraceful Frogmore incident, this heritage overlay was included in the 2003 Heritage Survey.

No doubt Hyams, Lipshutz and Pilling have already started the process to remove the heritage overlay.

anon Says:

December 4, 2015 at 8:57 AM

Oh Really Great! Another heritage overlay for Deal Willing and his Liberal mates to demolish

December 4, 2015 at 12:27 PM

A Permit will still be required for land rezoned to PUZ2 [Education] because of Heritage Overlay HO71. Even the exemptions from Permit for building in PUZ2 are conditional [must be for the purpose of the public use zone, which would exclude student accomodation; be by or on behalf of the public land manager, which would exclude land owned by Monash University]. What we don’t know is what council officers have been telling the land owners about development potential and the broad design parameters that Council is likely to accept. Council never did review its ancient policies in 2014 either, and on the available evidence, never intended to. The Panel was misled.

gleneira Says:

December 4, 2015 at 12:34 PM
Not for the first time has council promised various planning panels that “further strategic work” will be undertaken. We are still waiting! The Planning Scheme itself is replete with unfulfilled promises – despite the so called review of 2010.