Simon Johanson
March 7, 2012
The Age
A super-size Coles supermarket and apartment complex will go ahead in Melbourne’s Smith Street after authorities approved amendments to a development that attracted record opposition when first proposed nine years ago.
Developers Banco will be allowed to demolish and rebuild the heritage-listed former Foy & Gibson department store built in 1886 at the city end of Smith Street.
In its place, a seven-storey 238-apartment building will stretch from 132 Smith Street to Little Oxford Street behind, and include a 3500 square metre Coles store, retail and office space.
The changes boost the number of apartments by 70 and supermarket’s size by 50 per cent.
The development has been one of Collingwood’s longest-running planning sagas.
Banco first submitted plans in 2003 for a nine-storey, 253-apartment complex with retail and office space.
It was rejected by Yarra Council after a community outcry and more than 1500 objections.
After an appeal, a seven-storey complex with 159 apartments was approved in 2006 by then-planning minister Rob Hulls.
Last year, Banco applied to beef up the supermarket and number of apartments arguing more one and two person households were needed in the inner city.
But Yarra Council objected saying more supermarket delivery trucks in Little Oxford Street would affect residents.
It was over-ruled by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on February 20 this year.
Banco will be required to reconstruct the heritage-listed facade to its original condition.
”In our view, an acceptable heritage outcome will be achieved,” the tribunal said.
”People in the area have almost given up,” said one of the original objectors, David Harris. ”They [the developers] have got what they originally wanted.”
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