Victoria

A MAJOR mixed-use development in the Forrest Hill Precinct in South Yarra has been approved by the Victorian Government. The $100 million development, at 227 Toorak Road, South Yarra, will consist of a 25 storey building and includes 345 apartments, car parking and ground floor retail.

Mr Madden said the Forrest Hill Precinct is an important part of the South Yarra activity centre and has been identified for regeneration to accommodate more intensive development. He added that the government is committed to supporting development in key activity centres.

VICTORIAN Planning Minister Justin Madden today announced that planning permits have been approved for a major retail and office development at the former Ringwood Market site.

The mixed-use development, located on the corner of Bond and Market streets and 13-17 Ringwood Street and 19 Ringwood Street, will consist of three buildings of up to five storeys. Construction on the development is expected to commence in early next year.

VICTORIAN Planning Minister Justin Madden has granted conditional planning permits for five new Aldi supermarkets. The five stores are proposed for Drysdale, Geelong West, Highton, Rye and North Balwyn, with Mr Madden saying the developments would provide a $34.5 million boost to the Victorian economy.

In February this year, Mr Madden determined that the Aldi proposals were of state significance and an Advisory Committee was appointed to consider the proposals for each site. The proposals were assessed by a single Advisory Committee as part of a streamlined planning process with public hearings for each proposal.

Planning Minister Justin Madden yesterday approved planning permits for the development of two supermarkets in Cowes, saying they will provide a boost to the local economy and create ongoing employment.

The developments which have been granted planning permits are:

• A 4,175 square metre Woolworths supermarket at 119-135 Thompson Avenue, Cowes; and
• Morgan & Griffin (M&G) supermarket at 114-122 Thompson Avenue, Cowes which includes construction of a 2,330 square metre supermarket and speciality shops.

THE City of Melbourne Future Melbourne Committee last week endorsed the Southbank Structure Plan, a 30-year vision for the city area, which aims to improve streetscapes, create more public spaces and provide better local amenities for residents, workers and visitors.

The final Southbank Structure Plan follows a two-month community consultation process that resulted in more than 80 written submissions.

VICTORIAN Planning Minister, Justin Madden, yesterday approved the planning permits for the $50 million redevelopment of Gateway Plaza in Warrnambool, with construction set to start early next year.

The planning permits will allow for a food court and outdoor seating, a supermarket and new specialty stores to be constructed. A total of 8,560 square metres of leasable floorspace is proposed. The redevelopment will also provide for an additional 319 parking spaces, a new vehicle access point from Gateway Road and a new loading area.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will set up new offices in Berwick and the City of Hume as part of its three year strategic plan, Transforming VCAT.

VCAT staff will also be located within regional courthouses at Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Morwell, Mildura, Warrnambool and Wangaratta as part of a plan to boost VCAT's suburban and regional focus.

MELBOURNE'S CBD retail trade is the strongest of any capital city in the nation with the lowest vacancy rates and a growing trend in 'laneway' shopping, according to a new report card released last week.

Last Wednesday, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle launched the Year Four Report Card for the Melbourne Retail Strategy 2006:2012. The strategy is the only long-term plan of its kind for an Australian capital city.

THE $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project has moved to the next stage with the Department of Transport this week lodging documentation for an environmental effects referral to the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Alterations to the rail alignment have reduced the number of properties needing to be acquired for the project between Southern Cross Station and Deer Park.

PLANNING Minister Justin Madden yesterday rejected a combined planning permit application and rezoning of land for the proposed Woolworths hardware store in North Geelong.

The site, currently a disused golf course, is located on the corner of Thompson Road and Ballarat Road, North Geelong and was one of eleven sites proposed across Victoria. Mr Madden appointed an Advisory Committee to consider the suitability of all eleven sites and to assess the merits of each project against set criteria including relevant State and local planning policy.

PLANNING Minister Justin Madden today invited residents, business owners and stakeholders in Broadmeadows to have their say on 'Planning for Broadmeadows Emerging Strategic Directions: A Report for Discussion'.

Mr Madden said Planning for Broadmeadows will set the strategic directions for the Central Activities District (CAD) and would be instrumental in shaping the area over the next 20 years.

THE Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has upheld the State Government's decision to grant planning approval for a mixed commercial and residential development in Southbank.

The application was initially approved by Planning Minister Justin Madden in April this year but was appealed by Melbourne City Council, on grounds that it failed to meet the objectives and requirements of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.