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1. Thirty-nine dwellings on a lot of this size seems not only excessive, but disproportionate for this location.

   I am yet to see the plans for this development, but am concerned about what impact this will have on neighbouring properties (one of which is mine) and the overall landscape of the street.

   For instance, how many storeys are proposed for this development, and will this overshadow existing properties, many of which are heritage listed?
   
   How close to the front of the block is the proposed development to be built? A combination of multi-story development being built close to the street will result in lost city views for neighbours, further devaluing existing property on Riversdale Road.

   The site currently has lush vegetation, offering privacy between neighbouring properties. If this development was to be built, would these established trees and plants be destroyed, resulting in a concrete jungle style amenity, with perhaps some lip service being paid to underdeveloped young shrubs?

   I also have concerns regarding the car parking requirements for 39 dwellings. Clause 22.03 of the Boroondara Planning Scheme states that for new multi-dwelling developments, the requirement is 1.5 car spaces per dwelling for residents plus 0.2 car spaces per dwelling for visitors. For 39 units, this would result in a requirement of 66.3 car spaces. Even if the developer managed to fit 66.3 car spaces into an underground carpark on the 1,387 sqm lot, having that many vehicles in this location is untenable, and potentially dangerous.

   The property is located on a high-traffic road, just beyond a sharp corner bend. To the west of the property is a no standing zone at all times. To the east is a clearway between 4.30pm and 6.30 pm. Opposite the property is a clearway during the morning peak. Vehicles travelling along Riversdale Road and wanting to enter the property will significantly slow down traffic and add to traffic snarls along Riversdale Road, both in the morning and afternoon peak.

   To turn right onto Riversdale Road out of any of the properties on the Western side of the road is fraught with danger. With an additional 60-odd vehicles coming and going from the property it will slow down traffic flows on a road already congested during peak times by trams and fast flowing traffic. The potential for a fatality at this location is high.

   In fact, I would question whether this site should be developed at all. The current property on this site is a historic 1930s Art Deco mansion. Indeed, it was advertised for sale as “a grand property with unique art deco residence.†Hawthorn has Georgian, Federation, and Victorian homes, and some Art Deco apartments, but it is rare to see an Art Deco mansion. I would argue that this property should be added to the Heritage Register, and am surprised that it is not currently protected by heritage overlay.

   Surrounding properties, including numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and23 Riversdale Road are all protected by heritage overlays.
   Historically, Riversdale Road was lined with grand mansions. Unfortunately, over the years, particularly in the 1960s, many of these historic properties were demolished, replaced by units of less architectural merit, and a rare few of the grand old mansions remain.

   In this decade, it is happening again. We cannot let this become the new norm for Hawthorn.

   According to the Multi-Dwelling Development page of the Boroondarra Council website any new development should meet the clauses of the Boroondarra Planning Scheme (also known as ‘rescode’).

   Clause 55 of rescode states:
   • To achieve residential development that respects the existing neighbourhood character or which contributes to a preferred neighbourhood character.
   • To encourage residential development that provides reasonable standards of amenity for existing and new residents.
   • To encourage residential development that is responsive to the site and the neighbourhood
   In addition, Clause 55.02-1 ‘Neighbourhood character objectives’ states:
   • To ensure that the design respects the existing neighbourhood character or contributes to a preferred neighbourhood character.
   • To ensure that development responds to the features of the site and the surrounding area.

   I would argue that allowing a historic mansion to be demolished and allowing the development of 39 dwellings on this site flies in the face of rescode, and makes a mockery of the Boroondara Planning Scheme.

   The Multi-Dwelling Development page of the Council website states in regards to proposed developments that: “the objectives of rescode must be met or a proposal will not be supported. †In no way does this proposal meet the objectives of rescode, therefore it should not be accepted by council.

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