127-149 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East VIC 3057

This is a major development on the doorstep of other major developments—all of which are transforming the residential neighbourhood into a small metropolis. The developments as a whole are so large that thousands are now relocating to this one small area of Melbourne. So, any decision on this enormous development at 127-149 Nicholson Street should be assessed against all other developments occurring on Nicholson Street, Lygon Street and Brunswick Road.

The council has, to date, allowed the biggest, congested developments. Sure, the locale is brilliant, but the majority of flats are small and offer limited fresh air, which is substituted by designing a roof 'garden' as a compromise. We visited a roof 'garden'. There was hot, unshaded concrete. There were no plants (was too hot and windy for them, the argument was), no turf (real or artificial), no tables, no chairs (we had to bring them up from the apartment) no water .... If this is a garden, then all our roads can be termed 'gardens' and we can throw sustainability guidelines out the window.

So, 1) We ask that council check on all design requirements during and AFTER the build to ensure that the developments complete the job to the architects' design. And make sure this assessment includes visiting the rooftops, for a 'garden' IF part of an apartment building's sustainability rating, and therefore, council approval.

2) We request that the council do not reduce the required off-street parking codes for this or any other large development—regardless of whether this is for private or commercial vehicles.

To reduce car parking allowance is a request we see again and again, and always, it seems (and this application is a perfect example of) once big builds get preliminary approval and financing. The developers were well aware that there were council requirements during design phase, so there is no excuse for reducing this requirement now, unless they are wanting to secure additional land in order to increase the revenue of their businesses.

If this reduction in parking is associated with the need for commercial vehicles to access businesses, then I would refer you to the comments made by Pope Joan and other businesses in the immediate locale who are lamenting the impact that vehicles—commercial and construction—are having on their businesses. And, I again refer council to the fact that the designers knew of council and commercial vehicle requirements during the design phase. They need to offer off-street parking to commercial vehicles. They need to adhere to private car parking requirements as outlined during the design phase.