Draft Yarra Planning Scheme Amendment C303 and draft Planning Permit PA2201605 is a combined amendment and permit process under Part 4, Division 5 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act). The draft amendment and draft permit apply to land at 9-13 Stewart Street, Richmond.

Draft Amendment C303 proposes to make the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for administering planning permit PA2201605, which proposes partial demolition and construction of a multi-storey mixed-use building, comprising office, retail, food and drink premises, and reduction in car parking requirements.

The Minister for Planning is considering whether to prepare, adopt and approve Yarra Planning Scheme Amendment C303 and grant planning permit PA2201605. To inform the Minister’s decision, consultation is being undertaken under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 about the draft amendment and the draft planning permit.

What the draft amendment does

The Amendment proposes to make the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for planning permit PA2201605 for the proposal and any matter required by planning permit PA2201605 to be endorsed, approved and carried out to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.

The amendment proposes to make the following changes to the Yarra Planning Scheme:

  • Amend 1.0 of the Schedule to Clause 72.01 to make the Minister for Planning the responsible authority for:
    • Matters under Divisions 1, 1A, 2, 3, and 5 of Part 4 and Division 2 of Part 9 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and matters required by a permit or the scheme to be endorsed, approved or done to the satisfaction of the responsible authority, in relation to land at 9-13 Stewart Street, Richmond.

What the permit seeks

The draft planning permit (PA2201605) seeks approval for partial demolition and construction of a multi-storey mixed-use building, comprising of office, retail, food and drink premises, and reduction in car parking requirements at 9-13 Stewart Street, Richmond.

Specifically, the permit application seeks approval for:

  • Partial demolition of existing building consisting of a double-storey contributory building within the Heritage Overlay
  • Buildings and works to construct a mixed-use building comprising a maximum building height of 9 storeys (39 m to lift overrun)
  • Overall, the development comprises of:
    • 4,201 sqm associated with the use of the land for office space
    • 113 sqm associated with the use of the land for retail
    • 157 sqm associated with the use of the land for food and drink premises
  • 7 car parking spaces within basement level car park accessed via a car lift
  • 45 bicycle spaces with 201 sqm end of trip facilities containing 57 lockers and 10 showers

Consultation

Before making a decision about whether to proceed with the draft amendment and draft permit, the Minister for Planning is undertaking consultation under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to understand the views of affected parties and to inform the drafting of both the amendment and permit.

Following the consultation period, the Minister may decide to refer this matter to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee for further advice before making a decision about whether to prepare, adopt and approve the amendment and permit. If you make a submission, you will be informed if the matter is referred to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee.

Background

The Minister for Planning has received a request from Contour Consultants Australia (on behalf of Hines 9 Stewart Property Pty Ltd) to facilitate the proposal through the Development Facilitation Program.

The Victorian Government has identified Victoria’s building and construction sector as a key mechanism to revitalise Victoria’s economy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Development Facilitation Program was established by the Minister following the success of the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce Priority Project Fast-Track pilot program to speed up the assessment and determination of identified priority projects that deliver investment into the Victorian economy, keep people in jobs, and provide a substantial public benefit.

More information

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact Dan Lawlor, Planner, DELWP Priority Projects Team: dan.lawlor@delwp.vic.gov.au.

Page last updated: 09/05/22