Redevelopment of Knights Slipway

From The Star

HOBSONS Bay City Council and residents’ groups have responded angrily to a proposed development at the former Knight’s Slipway site in Williamstown.

The council last week resolved to object to a planning permit for the site on the grounds that it had “an over reliance on residential and non-maritime uses”, was contrary to planning schemes, and was submitted without adequate public consultation.

The proposal would see nine separate structures built by Nelson Marine Development, including a “place of assembly” that objectors believe will be a restaurant.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment, which controls the site, said it was awaiting more information from the applicant before considering the proposal.

The mayor, Leigh Hardinge, said the proposed development “completely strayed” from the Port of Melbourne Planning Scheme for the historic maritime area.

“To propose a restaurant and residential uses on that block of land is ludicrous.

“The developer is not acknowledging the importance of community consultation which is an insult to both the council and the wider Hobsons Bay community.”

Cr Hardinge indicated that the council would be submitting an objection to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden.

However, Nelson Marine Development director Michael Flemming said there was “absolutely no basis” for objection or concern from the council or residents.

“There will be no residential use on the site.

“The whole site will be orientated towards marine uses. There will be things like sail makers and ship repairs.”

Williamstown Ward Councillor Angela Altair said the council had been given little time to mount a response, with just two weeks to lodge an objection.

“The council met with the developer and community representatives in 2002, and the developer agreed to consult with the public before any applications were lodged.”

Residents group Preserve Old Williamstown (POW) president Patsy Toop, said it would fight to ensure the site did not become an exclusive residential development, “come hell or high water”.

“It ought to be for the public use and this development will in fact alienate the public.”

Ms Toop said many people believed the “place of assembly” referred to in planning documents would turn out to be a restaurant, and was little more than “a ploy to reduce car parking requirements on the site”.

“It is an over-development of the site and we don’t believe that restaurants and this type of thing are consistent with maritime use.”

But Mr Flemming said the term “place of assembly” was used because planning documents because the final use of the land had not been decided.

“It might be a take-away food outlet but it will not be a sit down restaurant.

“Rather than simply put a tin shed on the site as before, we have designed something that will be open to the public.”

Ms Toop said POW wanted to see the site developed as “a major maritime port of call” and develop industries consistent with this.

Rennis Witham from POW said it was vital that residents and visitors could feel a sense of connection with the historic site.

“With this proposal, the sense of public and open space will be gone.

“The place will feel private and closed to the public and that means people will feel like they can’t walk through the area.”

A council statement indicated that the DSE would give the community an opportunity to comment on the proposal in the coming months.