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Following negotiations with Moonee Valley City Council in late 2011, a planning permit was issued for the subdivision and construction of dwellings on Stages 3, 4 and 5 at Ascot Chase, the final three stages of the (up to) 430-dwelling development.

Development within these final stages will expand the inner-city residential community already being established in Stages 1 and 2 and will provide a mix of innovative and well designed homes on varying lot sizes.

A further feature of the final stages of the development at Ascot Chase will be a 2.54 hectares parcel of land for a future public open space area adjacent to the Walter Street reserve. The development of this public open space area will create a wetland area to include barbeques, picnic shelters and children’s play structures for the increased amenity of residents within Ascot Chase and the surrounding area.

Enquiries Jay Hollerich (jjh@colliepl.com.au)

Following an exciting two weeks of tennis, the Australian Open came to an end with an endurance contest between Nadal and Djokovic resulting in the longest finals match.

Record-breaking crowds turned out for the two week event this year at Melbourne Park, with the attendance figures for Saturday 21 January 2012 being the biggest recorded at a grand slam event anywhere in the world.

It is welcome news therefore, that the latest plans unveiled for the Western Precinct at Melbourne Park will improve capacity at Margret Court Arena by 1,500, which brings the total number of seats to 7,500 as stated by urbanalyst.com.

Melbourne will be the world’s first Grand Slam tennis venue to have three feature courts with operable roofs. The new design for Melbourne Park’s Western Precinct has been created by NH Architecture and sports stadium specialists, Populous.

Additional works to improve the Western Precinct include a new indoor concourse area with greater shade and rain protection. Excellent views of the city will be provided by glazing around the perimeter of Margaret Court Arena and connections between Margaret Court Arena and Rod Laver Arena will be improved as part of the project.

The works, once completed will improve both the amenity and capacity for major sporting events such as the Australian Open.

The Western Precinct is due to be completed in 2015.

Enquires Laura O’Higgins (lao@colliepl.com.au)

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) includes a categorised case list, one of which is the ‘planning and environment list’.

As from 3 January 2012, there has re-commenced a Major Cases List at a sub-category of the above. It has been established to expedite the resolution of applications for review (‘appeals’) involving larger development projects that may (if approved) contribute materially to economic activity in Victoria.

The link for more information is: VCAT Major Cases List

The re-development of the ex-VFL headquarters at Waverley Park in Melbourne, is well progressed. Football fans in particular who remember the venue would find it an ‘eye opener’ to visit now.

The oval remains but houses have replaced stands; part of the grandstand remains but is now used for retail and commercial purposes; and the car park is now an attractive housing area.

On the 19 January Amendment VC88 implemented changes to the Victorian Planning Provisions and planning schemes to relax the rules relevant to bulky goods retailing.

The changes have broadened the definition of bulky goods and remove the floor space restrictions previously in place under the Industrial 1, Industrial 3, Business 3 and Business 4 zones.

Outdoor and recreation goods including sporting, cycling, leisure, and fitness goods, animal supplies, pet goods, homewares, baby and children’s goods, children’s play equipment and accessories are now defined as bulky goods.

Previously, stores wanting to set up in bulky goods centres have been required generally to be of at least 1000 square metres (or 500 square meters for equestrian, party hire or lighting suppliers). These minimum floor area restrictions have been removed and stores of any size are now permitted provided approval is granted by the responsible authority.

Amendment VC88 has been gazetted and the changes outlined above are in operation from the 20 January 2012.

Enquiries Laura O’Higgins at Collie (lao@colliepl.com.au).

Following two years of construction the latest redevelopment at Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter was opened to the public in September 2011. The 68,000 square metres Darling Quarter project includes:
• 58,000 square metres, of commercial office space;
• 600 public and 200 private underground car spaces;
• retail and leisure facilities;
• new public open space.

Included in the new open space is a 4,000 square metres playground with climbing ropes, swings, slides and flying foxes as well as Australia’s largest interactive water play which provided hours of free entertainment for the younger family members during our recent trip to Sydney over the Christmas holidays. The playground has been carefully designed to include features which are suitable for all age groups to enjoy.

Adjacent to the playground is a community green which will be used for a series of community events including ‘Little Darlings Night Owls Film Festival’ which screens classic family favourites on a big screen outdoors.

A key feature contributing to the success of the project is a new pedestrian gateway linking Darling Harbour and the CBD, and improved pedestrian access across Harbour Street. These ensure easy accessibility for pedestrians from the city and reinforce the strong relationship the Darling Harbour area has with the city.

Enquires Laura O’Higgins at Collie (lao@colliepl.com.au)

Have you noticed the spectacular Eureka Tower ‘shimmer’ on a sunny crisp morning?

Look up and be impressed!

A small part of the Christchurch city centre was re-opened recently following the devastating earthquake that struck the Canterbury region in February this year. 

The re-opened area includes 27 shops and cafes housed in specially converted shipping containers.  The brightly painted containers include glass frontages and balconies and have been carefully arranged to create a vibrant and interesting new retail centre (albeit a temporary one while the rest of the city is being rebuilt).

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, officially opened the area and described it as “funky, modern and fresh”.  We agree, and hope that it helps to lift the spirits of the people of Canterbury as they continue to recover and rebuild.

Note: The Collie office will be closing for the holidays on Wednesday 21 December 2011 (but don’t call after midday because we will be out celebrating the end of the year) and will reopen on Monday 9 January 2012.

Mirvac received a commendation in the Medium Density Development Category of the UDIA (Victoria) 2011 Awards for Excellence for its Laureate development in Albert Park, which was considered an “outstanding medium density development” by the judges. Collie was pleased to provide planning inputs to Mirvac throughout the project.
Enquiries: Jay Hollerich (jjh@colliepl.com.au)