By ALESHA CAPONE
AN ALDI supermarket and 240 new homes are set to be built in Spotswood.
A special planning committee meeting of Hobsons Bay City Council has approved the development for a site near the corner of Mclister St and Melbourne Rd.
On top of the 240 apartments and ALDI, the proposal includes building a Woolworths supermarket, two cafes, medical centre, specialty shops and associated car parking.
The 240 apartments will range from three to six storeys in height.
Hobsons Bay City Council originally approved the plans in June 2010, when the developer asked for permission to build only 87 dwellings at the site.
However the council has just re-heard the application due to the requested increase in the number of homes.
More than 20 objections were lodged against the original development in 2010 – but the council has not re-advertised the new plans for 240 apartments, rather than 87.
“It was not considered necessary to readvertise the proposal as the changes are unlikely to raise new issues or concerns from the objectors,” the council’s meeting agenda said.
The 2010 objections included concerns about traffic congestion, car parking, the building’s height and noise from nearby industries impacting on the development.
The Spotswood Primary School is located opposite the proposed apartment complex and nearby residents said increased traffic would pose a “safety hazard” to pupils.
Objectors also said the development would worsen traffic congestion during the morning peak on Melbourne Rd.
They said there was already a high demand for car parks during school times and the development would add to the problem.
Other residents said a six-storey development would be “out of character with the area” and lessen Spotswood’s “village” atmosphere.
However a council report said the development would include more than 700 car parks and “increased residential density in an area with excellent links to public transport”.
“It also provides facilities not currently provided for in the Spotswood area, hence catering to
local needs,” the report said.
