THE proposed 14-storey apartment building at the former home of the Pint and Pickle got the green light to go ahead last week.
On Friday, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal granted permission for developers to proceed with construction of the building at 446-450 Nepean Highway in Frankston subject to some conditions. The proposal, titled “Harbour”, features 94 dwellings, a gym, shops, restaurants, offices, amenities, and three levels of basements with car parking. Frankston Council approved the Harbour proposal in late 2022. The proposal has proved controversial among residents, and has been vocally opposed by “Stop The Great Wall of Frankston” protesters as it moved through the planning process.
The VCAT decision published last week read that the Harbour plan is “in accordance with the strategic vision for this precinct in the FMAC [structure plan]”. “We consider the development will deliver a net community benefit as it will provide additional housing and enhance the liveability of the precinct due to features such as activation of both street frontages, provision of a pedestrian link through to Kananook Creek, and additional commercial floor area in the activity centre,” the VCAT decision read. “The applicants made submissions expressing their concerns about the direction of the strategic planning for the FMAC while acknowledging the tribunal has no jurisdiction over such matters. We agree this is not before this tribunal and note that we are bound to administer the planning scheme as we find it.”
Supporters and opposers of the plans took to social media after the decision to discuss the outcome. Gary Ebbott, the founder of the pro-development Advance Frankston group, said the result had “vindicated what we believe in”. A post on the Stop the Great Wall of Frankston Facebook page read that VCAT’s decision was “very disappointing news”.
Another application for a multi-storey building at 438-444 Nepean Highway is going through the VCAT process. A decision is expected to be handed down soon.
First published in the Frankston Times – 23rd April 2024