A 77-storey silver skyscraper planned for Carlton is likely to be opposed by Melbourne City Council because of a little-known decree in its planning scheme.
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There are seven public spaces in the city considered to be so special that they cannot be overshadowed by new high-rises.
They are the north bank of the Yarra River, Federation Square, City Square, Queensbridge Square, St Paul’s square and the State Library of Victoria forecourt. The south bank of the Yarra is also is also specially named in the planning scheme as being protected from overshadowing from the CBD and Docklands.
Next week one of these rules will come into play when the city council considers whether to support the construction of a 236-metre high-rise on the corner of Victoria and Bouverie streets, former home of the Carlton and United Breweries.
The tower would overshadow the state library forecourt, located about half a kilometre away. According to council’s 3D computer modelling the first shadow would creep into the square at exactly 1.56pm on June 22.
Council planning staff say this is an instant deal breaker.
“Notwithstanding the many other merits of this proposal, the development cannot be supported in its current form on that basis of this issue alone,” they wrote in a report submitted to councillors.
“In addition to the shadowing of the state library forecourt, the proposed tower will also cast shadows on Victoria Street, Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street to La Trobe Street.”
CEL Victoria, an offshoot of Singapore-based Chip Eng Seng, is behind the 1037-apartment and retail project designed by architect Elenberg Fraser. The developer also has plans for a controversial 71-storey project called “Tower Melbourne” whose 555 apartments would be located at 150 Queen Street.
Council officers have recommend that councillors vote to oppose the project in its current form, with the final say to be had by Planning Minister Matthew Guy.
