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The Property Council of Australia (Victoria) (PCAV) ‘Star Gazing’ panel discussion at Crown on 17 February was an interesting and informative event.

PCAV had Mark Korda (KordaMentha), Professor Ian Harper (Deloite Access Economics), Stephen Mayne (journalist and Councillor), Daryl Browning (ISPT Pty Ltd) as panelists ably chaired by Peter Verwer (PCAV).

The topic was ‘star gazing’ about the world, Australian and Victorian economies and the immediate / medium future.

The general feelings seemed to be that:
• Governments debt was a real dampener to activity – too much previous spending beyond our means;
• migration was a positive balancing force against the negatives;
• poor and decreasing productivity was a major concern;
• the property development sector will remain for some time an unpopular area for financiers;
• in Victoria, there is room for optimism although this may be reflected in activity later than 2012.

Enquiries Mike Collie (mjsc@colliepl.com.au)

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