Community-based alternative proposal for 247 Johnston Street, Abbotsford

The current application 247 Johnston Street, Abbotsford for the construction of a part 2, part 6, part 9, part 16 and part 17-storey building with one additional basement level, for mixed use comprising 204 dwellings, ground floor retail floor space, and three levels of car parking is, in the view of the signatories to this alternative proposal, an unfortunate response to the pressing need for urban consolidation in Melbourne. Research carried out by the Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne indicates that the predicted increase in Melbournes population over the next 20 years can be comfortably absorbed by building in activity centres, transport corridors and grey and brownfield sites to a height of 4 to 6 storeys. The signatories to this alternative proposal are in full support of moderately dense consolidation with a good proportion of small units catering to small households. This has the potential to not only limit urban sprawl but contribute to housing affordability, although that depends of course on the kind of development and its intended market. Market housing for low to middle-income households, particularly including families, should be encouraged. The area has excellent, immediate and multiple public transport services, and apartments without car parking spaces will increase affordability. These should be marketed as car-free apartments emphasising the benefits of living in Abbotsford as a car-free household. The area cannot sustain more demand for on-street parking, however, particularly given the progressive development of retail businesses along Johnston Street. Visitor car parking within the development should be provided, and a number of apartments, including the family units, should have dedicated car parking spaces. The Yarra planning scheme clearly specifies a desired height of 5-6 stories along transit routes. A precinct plan for Johnston Street from Hoddle Street to the Yarra River should be prepared, but in any event, an increase to the height of the existing building should leverage outcomes with net community benefit. These benefits should align with other objectives of council; specifically, increasing the affordable housing stock and providing space for creative and culturally productive activities. The appropriate starting point for negotiations is the height of the existing building, that is, 3-4 storeys. We would be pleased to see 6 storeys on parts of the site on the basis that (and only on this basis):

1. a percentage of the housing units for families (20 percent should be the standard) be dedicated to social housing for management by a local housing association; 2. a component of the ground and lower floor space be allocated to space for cultural production, to be managed preferably by council along the lines of the City of Melbournes Creative Spaces program; 3. the additional height does not block sunlight to existing residential properties.

It is essential that the street frontage of any new building be active, with shopfronts, creative space fronts, a high degree of permeability and features that create interest for pedestrians and other passers-by. The red-brick faade should be altered to facilitate more activity than currently occurs there. Signatories ... Dr Kate Shaw, Research Fellow in Architecture Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, and Yarra resident