Woolworths Elsternwick: Supermarket giant resubmits plans for high rise tower
Emma-Jayne Schenk, Caulfield Glen Eira Leader
November 21, 2018 12:00am
The battle between Woolies and Elsternwick neighbours is back on, with Woolworths pinning its hopes on a new public facility in their planned Selwyn St complex, to help quell backlash against its plan for a towering high-rise.
The supermarket giant has finalised plans for the 13-storey complex, following more than 115 objections about height and scale, traffic congestion, parking, loss of heritage, and overshadowing on nearby houses.
The former ABC building on Selwyn St, which Woolies bought for $45 million in March 2017, is currently only two storeys high.
Woolworths resubmitted plans to Glen Eira Council for the mammoth building earlier this month, which will be released to the public for feedback next week. If approved by Glen Eira councillors next year, the 80-unit complex would include a two-storey, 1000 sq m community facility on the corner of Sinclair and Selwyn streets with a small cafe, meeting and discussion spaces, and a multimedia space available for hire. The Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre will also be relocated within the centre.
Other changes include increased setbacks and the glass exterior being replaced with brick.
But a Woolworths spokesman said the height and the scale — which is what most residents objected to — remained “very similar”.
Elsternwick resident Rosemary Scott-Thompson, who owns an apartment on Selwyn St, said while the community centre was a “nice idea”, the changes did not ease her concerns.Woolworths is hoping its new design, shown here, will quell community concern.
She said the “monstrosity” would block any direct sunlight she gets in her home, and the only opening window would be facing the underground carpark, which would “stick fumes into her apartment”.
“Unless they step the building back on Selwyn St … it’s not something I’ll ever be happy about,” Ms Scott-Thompson said.
“They stepped the building back on the other side but (because we’re in a commercial zone), it’s like they don’t care.
“From my own personal point of view, it’s just not a good idea.”The old plans, seen here, for 10-16 Selwyn St have been scrapped by Woolies.
Woolworths senior development manager Don Foulds said the revised plans came in response to community needs. “We’re confident we can deliver a development that becomes a vibrant cultural and entertainment hub for local residents and look forward to discussing our revised proposal with the council and community members,” he said.
Glen Eira Debates 
November 23, 2018 at 9:38 AM
https://www.afr.com/business/gambling/council-protests-victorian-governments-cheap-rent-deal-for-iconic-racecourse-20181121-h186z8
November 23, 2018 at 10:08 AM
This ones 13. Next will be 15. Thanks council.
November 25, 2018 at 5:21 PM
No rate payer want 13 stories but this is what you get when you vote for the one political party year after year. Without a shake-up nothing will change because people don’t care so long as its not their backyard
November 26, 2018 at 7:17 AM
Another Woolworths! Really and in an inappropriate place as well as inappropriate height! Glen Eira Council do something!