Nod for new flats

FEARS of over-development were quashed as councillors approved a three-storey apartment complex in Dandenong at last week’s council meeting.
While councillor John Kelly argued that the 18-unit building in Henty Street would affect the character of the surrounding neighbourhood, seven councillors gave the unique complex the thumbs up.
Cr Paul Donovan said housing affordability was a major concern for the City of Greater Dandenong that forced residents to move into boarding houses, which he described as “slum accommodation.”
He urged councillors to support the merits of the project, particularly as the site was in a high-density housing zone.
Cr Kelly pleaded with his colleagues to vote against the project, which included hydraulic car stackers in the basement for residents’ vehicles.
“I like to see development within this city, but I think this is the start of turning this part of the town into something undesirable,” he said.
The application drew 15 objections from residents but was passed by a majority of councillors with one condition – that the developer reduce the number of apartments to 17. A similar application for three two-storey developments in Birmingham Street, Springvale, was refused at the meeting.