Heritage & Planning Issues

Heritage & Planning Issues

The Collingwood Historical Society has had an active involvement in the heritage planning for the City of Yarra and previously for the City of Collingwood (Abbotsford, Clifton Hill and Collingwood) over the past 30 years or so. We were members of the committee for the City of Collingwood Urban Conservation Study carried out by Andrew Ward in the 1980s. We have been members of a number of the City of Yarra’s heritage review committees. We are deeply concerned that the historical and heritage value of the area be respected for the benefit of future generations, both the natural heritage of the Yarra River and the built heritage.

Below is a list of some of the planning and heritage sites we have been involved with in recent years. Most involve unsympathetic development of heritage sites which fail to meet the objectives of Yarra Council’s heritage guidelines. They also include high rise developments along the sensitive Yarra River corridor. 

More information about the proposed developments may be found on the Yarra Council website. 

 See also https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/the-area/heritage   

 Some sites are also on the Victorian Heritage Register. 

 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au 

 

Abbotsford 

 Current

 Earlier   

  •  Johnston St Local Area Plan (Amendment C220) a framework for the area, including development in riverside Trenerry Crescent, was approved in 2019.
  • 247-259 Johnston St (St Crispin House). Proposed 15, then 13 storey development. Council approved 11 storeys plus three basement levels. To VCAT 2017, 12 storeys approved. Under construction 2019-20. All but the facade was demolished. Building completed.
  • 647-649 Victoria St. Proposed 10 storey development on Yarra bank next to Walmer St footbridge. Accepted by VCAT.
  • 10-16 Trenerry Crescent (former Yarra Falls Mills). VCAT 1999, 2010, 2012. Multi storey residential development on the banks of the Yarra. Building completed.
  • 80-110 Trenerry Crescent (former Yarra Falls Mills). VCAT 1999. Yarra granted a permit for 7-9 storey buildings on river bank 2009. Buildings completed.
  • 112-142 Trenerry Crescent (Amendment C219) former Austral Silk and Cotton Mill
  • 18-62 Trenerry Crescent (Amendment C218) former William Saunders Malt Extract factory

Both the above amendments involve plans for large developments on the Yarra River bank.

  • 677 Victoria St (former Honeywell site). Large-scale development in sensitive riverside area. Completed.
  • There is further information about developments along Trenerry Crescent described as part of the 2019 Abbotsford History Walk at History Walk Trenerry Crescent

 Clifton Hill

 Current

  • 35-41 Spensley Street Clifton Hill, the 1890 Royal Hotel. 2021 proposal to demolish all but the two street facades and to build 6 storey apartments. To be heard at VCAT 2022.
  • 205-211 Queens Pde (former Clifton Motor Garage/Tru mould tyres) 9-11 storey proposal on Moderne factory site. Now on Victorian Heritage Register. Refused by Council, withdrawn from VCAT 2020.
  • 267-271 Queens Pde – 22 storey building proposed. Refused by Council Proposal withdrawn 2021.
  • 47-49 Ramsden St (former Marshall’s butchers). 2020 proposal for 7 apartments up to 4 storeys. Council approved plan for 3 storeys 2022.

  Earlier 

  • Queens Parade Activity Centre plan (Amendment C231) initially supported development up to 14 storeys in some parts and 6 storeys behind the shops, threatening the heritage streetscape and skyline. After much community input a revised improved Amendment went before a Planning Panel in August 2019. This had a maximum of 3 to 4 storeys behind the shops. It was passed by Council and received Ministerial approval in October 2020.
  • Various development proposals in Queens Pde:

97-99 Queens Pde (Taco Bill’s) – design of infill.

101-103 Queens Pde (Bendigo Bank) – 6 storey proposal – not built

139 Queens Pde (former Normandy Hotel) Development completed 2020.

141-147 Queens Pde (Clifton’s warehouse) external signs and painting. Reopened as Metro supermarket.

217-241 Queens Parade. Clifton Views 12 storey development within heritage overlay. Development completed 2019.

1 South Terrace (Sambell Lodge redevelopment) Development included demolishing the St Andrew’s church. Demolition accepted by VCAT. Building completed 2020.

64 Alexandra Pde (former Provan’s site). State government rezoning (2018).

   

Collingwood

 Current

  • 200-202 Johnston St. Former Austral Cinema:

Amendment C245 includes proposed internal heritage controls for three former cinemas in Yarra, among them the former Austral Picture Theatre at 200-202 Johnston St. In spite of heritage advice for internal protection, a Panel hearing (April 2020) and then Council rejected internal controls for the three Yarra cinemas. However 3D images of the Austral interior were recorded. https://captur3d.io/view/city-of-yarra/austral-theatre  In 2021 a proposal for an 11 storey building and demolition of most of the Austral cinema went to VCAT which approved 9 storeys.

 

  •  Collingwood Mixed Use precinct – protection for the southern portion of the Collingwood Mixed Use Precinct (DD023). Processes underway.
  • 14-18 Smith St former British Crown Hotel. Multistorey proposal refused at VCAT 2020.
  •  42-44 Oxford St, 61-63 Cambridge St. 14 storey development proposal and demolition of much of the fabric of the former Dyason’s cordial factory. Development underway 2020.
  •  23-33 Johnston St. (former Gregory Steel works) Proposed 12 storey development proposal behind significant façade of the former Gregory Steel works, within the Johnston St heritage precinct. VCAT approved 8 storey building. Demolition underway March 2021. Construction underway 2022.
    • Earlier

    • 107 Cambridge St, (former Foy & Gibson complex). Large-scale visible development completed.

    • 62 Easey St/259 Wellington St (former Portsea House site). Renovated.
    • 34-38 Otter St, St Joseph’s Church. Proposal to demolish rather than repair the fire-damaged church. Collingwood’s oldest church. Demolition refused by VCAT. Church repaired and re-opened in April 2018.
    • 1-21 Robert St (former Yorkshire Brewery). In 2013 VCAT approved development with 17, 14 and 10 storey towers around the landmark brew tower. Development completed.

     

    Updated June 2022

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Upcoming Events

    Follow Us

    Share This