Building height agreements are being broken. 3 new Yarra Bend building applications exceed DPO heights, and a planning permit issued last June has been amended, giving the council the opportunity to re-consider it.

The Yarra council meeting is scheduled for February 16th.

The application has already been escalated to VCAT, and council will be our only voice in the room when VCAT considers the issue, as the public cannot participate.

APMAG strongly objects to the new application which proposes buildings of up to 6, 8 and 12 stories through the western side of the Paper Mill site – up from approved heights of  4, 5 and 6 respectively. They are up to double the agreed planning overlay, and make so many aspects of the development worse – from density, shading and views to making the paper trail wind canyon deeper.

New Councilor’s opportunity to speak

This month, our new mayor and ward councilors have their opportunity, alongside experienced representative Stephen Jolly, to represent us on the issue. APMAG representatives met Cr de Vietri and Mohamud and walked around the area to better understand the issues and have an impact as the voice of the community in the Yarra Bend development. Under the rules of the development process, Yarra Council represents us at VCAT. The hearing – scheduled later this year – isn’t open to the public.

We need the council to participate fully in the VCAT process, and give their planning team support and resources to defend their DPO, that we all fought so hard to define.

3 building mega proposal

The 3 major applications are being rolled into one mega hearing, proposing dramatic new heights – up to 12 stories – well beyond the heights agreed as ‘preferred’ (the strongest term allowed in the process) negotiated in the DPO.

All 3 applications seek to reduce the parking provided for residents without providing any on-street or alternative options.

The pool and gym facilities proposed in the ‘Outer Circle’ zone will be privatized. The proposal restricts public access, limiting use to residents of the Yarra Bend section of Alphington only. This ‘wellness facility’ was previously promised as part of the solution to the problem that no public toilets are part of planned open spaces and parks.

DPO Building thresholds

For reference, these are the previously negotiated heights.

Local community groups push for council representation amid resident gag order

While the APMAG, SAFCA and WARI groups have been engaged for over 10 years in advocating for the community, we’ve recently learned many new residents are contractually forbidden to make objections. The gag order, apparently written into their home contracts, makes some new residents apprehensive of exercising the kind of freedom current Alphington residents are used to.

Anyone can attend the February council meeting, which will be held online. Register HERE

APMAG is working with the new resident groups, as well as established groups, including co-op and community groups, to represent their interests and rights. Join up through the Facebook page at Yarra bend residents, Yarra Residents Collective,, and the APMAG Facebook or web page.  All Alphington and local residents – new and old – are welcome.