541 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058

The development of a 12-storey building on Sydney Road (next to an approved 8-storey building) in central Coburg is a case of over-development and the destruction of the cultural, ethnic and environmental diversity and atmosphere of Coburg. The push to grow Moreland Shire from present population of 181,730 today to a projected 241,540 in 2036 would make the place increasingly unliveable. One needs to have caps on development. Presently Coburg is breaking at the seams – the roads are choked with traffic, the public transport is over-utilised and parking is difficult. This proposed over-development will further erode the quality of life. Providing only 74 parking slots for the 116 minimum spaces required by law (Clause 52.6-3) will inevitably put pressure on street parking and disadvantage people with disabilities, children and pets who rely on cars to survive. While I may be sympathetic to the aims of the Barrett Foundation and its desire to provide huge amounts of public housing, the positioning of this huge development and the proposed scale is wrong. We do not need any more housing commission towers. It will erode the quality of life of those already living here, especially the elderly and disadvantaged, it will change the character of the neighbourhood for the worse and the rising population density will ultimately destroy this area’s enviable reputation as one of the most liveable places in Melbourne for people who are not rich and value our quality of life.

I fully support this development and look forward to many more in Coburg. There are far too many eyesores, neglected sites and shopping arcades that are stuck in the 80s. Coburg is crying out for more development and competition to jolt 'complacent' landlords into action. Some people would love for Coburg to stagnate (an inevitably die), siting 'traffic' issues. That's just a lazy and outdated approach - We need more people in the suburb, especially young families to inject some life into it while council can explore creative ways for traffic management rather than just simply restricting development and capping population.