At Council on Wednesday, retirees united with other residents to oppose the conversion of the former studio headquarters for the radio stations Triple M and Fox FM at 180 St Kilda Road into a 639-unit storage facility.
The redevelopment as a Storage King self-storage facility also includes the construction of two additional storeys. The developer had proposed delivery access 24 hour seven days per week by a narrow five-metre lane behind their St Kilda Road frontage.
Council had previously rejected the application, but it was taken to VCAT for mediation with objectors. While the mediation failed, the developer reduced the access from 24/7 to 7 am – 10 pm and proposed to manage the use of the loading docks to overcome concerns.
The developers brought their concessions back to Council and councillor officers subsequently recommended that it be approved. But the council planners didn’t reckon on the organising ability of the not-so-retiring locals.
Packed house at Council
The two-minute limit on public submissions didn’t deter a flotilla of objectors who provided testimony from a range of points of view.
Neighbouring resident Nick Buskens told councillors that the plan included a double commercial loading bay just over five metres from his living room wall, directly facing his home. He feared that the dock’s orientation would amplify noise from reversing alarms, engine starts, and movements “like a loudspeaker.”
Europa Resident Phil Bird castigated council for not informing nearby residents of the plans. He said that residents in three neighbouring buildings, totalling about 190 apartments, who rely on the lane were not informed about the proposal. ‘They became aware through planning signs on St Kilda Road,’ he said.
But Mr Bird’s most damning observation was that Australian standards require that access roadways be at least 5.5 metres wide in situations like this, but the current laneway width is five metres.
A chain of Europa residents highlighted the folly of using the narrow laneway next to a retirement village as a seven-day-a-week delivery point for a major multi-storey facility. Europa Residents’ Committee representative Vanessa Lucas said there were currently 90 residents. She feared that the noise from commercial deliveries will disturb residents, many of whom are unwell or recovering from surgery, impacting their sleep and recuperation.
Another resident, former St Kilda Councillor, Les Rosenblatt said the average age of Europa residents is 76. ‘They have slower reaction times, peripheral vision problems, and other health issues, making the increased traffic and potential for accidents a serious concern, even potentially leading to death.’
Residents Jane Clancy and Diane Rooney also expressed concern for the health and well-being of current residents. Barry Pratt, a former risk manager, said the applicant’s amendments relied on administrative controls that are unlikely to be effective because they are largely beyond the facility operator’s control. Susan Ratcliffe highlighted the narrow five-metre laneway, making it difficult for two small cars to pass, and more difficult with larger vehicles.
Local Isabel Oderberg said ‘the proposed self-storage facility breached almost all rules designed to protect residents and the council’s own planning scheme.’ She pointed to insufficient space for heavy vehicles and turning room, and likelihood of trucks backing down the laneway against road regulations.
It was also observed that the storage facility would only have two staff and was not a major employment generator. Its proposed operating hours were much longer than those in Storage King’s other 34 Melbourne facilities.
Councillors overrule officers’ recommendation
Galvanised by the submissions, Cr Bryan Mears moved an alternative decision to inform VCAT that Council does not support the amended plans because ‘the proposed access and servicing of the building from the rear lane will result in unacceptable amenity impacts at the interface with the adjoining residential uses’.
‘We’ve heard from many of the residents, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet those residents at this location and from day one I had misgivings about the usability of what was proposed.
‘It’s worthwhile pointing out that in a city anywhere in a city, you’re going to have these issues. In this case, certainly I can’t support what’s being proposed,’ he declared.
Seconding the motion, Cr Justin Halliday said the proposal does not reflect and does not reasonably protect the amenity of the interface commercial uses and sensitive residential areas.
Before voting unanimously to support the call to oppose the project as it stands, councillors thanked the residents for their civil input.
Next stop VCAT
It’s likely that the developers will continue to seek approval via VCAT hearing. Many residents are hoping that VCAT members will visit the site and see firsthand the unsuitability of the narrow nameless alley as access to a ‘king-size’ commercial storage facility.
TWISK producer Greg Day is a resident of Europa and objected to the proposed storage facility.
