MORE than 200 requests for proposed building height limits near Kananook Creek to be reduced have been denied by Frankston Council officers.
The FMAC structure plan, which outlines new preferred height limits of up to 16 storeys in Frankston’s city centre, has been out for public consultation. Frankston Council received 429 submissions on the plan – nearly half of them focused on proposed 12 storey height limits near Kananook Creek.
Council officers wrote in their report that 215 submissions were made objecting to the proposed height limits in the precinct bordered by Nepean Highway, Beach Street, Wells Street, and Kananook Creek Boulevard. They wrote the objections were made “for a range of reasons, including impacts of wind and shade on Kananook Creek and the foreshore, overlooking of private properties, and impacts on views and vistas. These submissions seek a reduction in building height, with some submissions suggesting maximum heights of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10 storeys. Mandatory controls are also sought by many submissions.”
In their report, council officers wrote that they would not be recommending changes to the precinct’s height limits. Instead they have recommended changes in other areas to laneways and pedestrian links, ground level building setbacks, upper level building setbacks, and application requirements before progressing the planning guidelines further. 193 submissions were made to council supporting the proposed planning scheme amendment.
Throughout 2023, plans for high-rise buildings along Nepean Highway near Kananook Creek sparked protests and rallies from a group of protesters who dubbed the proposals the “great wall of Frankston” (“Concerns for Kananook Creek future” The Times 6/11/23).
While the FMAC structure plan moves through the planning process, planning minister Sonya Kilkenny has applied interim 12-storey height limits near Kananook Creek. Those interim controls are expected to guide VCAT’s decisions on a proposed 14-storey tower at 446-450 Nepean Highway and 16-storey building at 438-444 Nepean Highway.
Frankston Council officers have recommended asking planning minister Sonya Kilkenny to form a panel to consider the public’s submissions. Frankston councillors will consider the officers’ recommendations at a meeting on Monday, 18 March, shortly after publication deadline.
Councillors have the option to act against the officer recommendation. So far, a majority of Frankston councillors have guided the FMAC structure plan through the planning process during this council term (“Controversial height limits approved by council”, The Times, 19/6/2023).
First published in the Frankston Times – 19th March 2024
