Planning permit P995/2013 was issued on 16 September 2014. The permit was issued for the staged subdivision of the land, vegetation removal, creation of access to a road in a road zone category one and construction of dwellings. Plans have been endorsed and works have commenced on part of the land. The permit remains live and can continue to be acted upon by the developer.
Stage 4 proceeding to public notification
Stage 4 of the St Helena Place development will commence public notification on 24 January and conclude on 7 February.
Stage 4 proposes the following amendments:
- development and associated subdivision of 71 additional dwellings
- demolition of a building (Saxam Homestead) in the Heritage Overlay (Schedule 197)
- removal of additional vegetation under the Environmental Significance Overlay (Schedule 3), Vegetation Protection Overlay (Schedule 1) and Clause 52.17 ‘Native Vegetation’ Amendment to expiry conditions and permit preamble.
Submissions can be made using our online portal, by email to enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au or via post until a decision is made (including after 7 February).
Saxam Homestead
Stage 4 proposes the demolition of Saxam Homestead, a building protected under the Heritage Overlay (Schedule 197).
Saxam Homestead was constructed between 1886-1888 and is of local significance to Banyule City Council and the local region. The Homestead is a Victorian style building and the oldest remaining homestead in St Helena.
Further details of the heritage significance of Saxam Homestead can be found here.
The applicant proposes to demolish Saxam Homestead due to its poor condition. While a 2011 heritage assessment of the homestead concluded the building was in poor condition at that time, the applicant submits that ongoing vandalism and degradation of the building has further deteriorated its condition and repair and restoration is not possible.
A park is proposed in the location of the current Saxam Homestead with heritage interpretive elements including sculpture, signage, shade structure and landscaped elements.
Documents relating to Saxam Homestead including a heritage assessment, interpretation plan and structural integrity report can be made available upon request.
Council’s Development Planning team will need to consider the proposed demolition of Saxam Homestead together with submissions in making a decision on Stage 4.
Other planning permits issued for the site
There have been a number of previous planning permits issued for the subject site as follows: planning permit P235/2015 issued on 27 November 2015 and allowed construction of 90 dwellings, vegetation removal, associated building and works, roadworks within the Public Acquisition Overlay and 90 lot subdivision.
Planning permit P782/2015 issued on 18 March 2015 and allowed use of 8 dwellings approved under Stage 1A (Lots 2,3,4,5,11,12,13 and 14) of planning permit P995/2013 as display homes, use of Lot 1 as a sales office, buildings and works for the construction of a temporary car park and associated signage.
The applicant has sought to amend permit P995/2013 as this was the original permit issued for the site. The applicant is making this application so as to consolidate and simplify all of the Council planning permit requirements into one document and make the permit easier to comply with and easier to enforce.
If the amendments are approved, the applicant will not need to act on other planning permits and will be able to continue the development to completion under permit P995/2013.