Parking problems and access woes, but still there’s …

By Nicole Williams
A FOUR-STOREY apartment complex may go ahead in Springvale despite strong opposition from some Greater Dandenong councillors.
The application, for 16-18 Windsor Avenue, did not meet a number of town planning standards but a notice of decision to grant a permit was passed by councillors at Monday night’s meeting.
Councillor Peter Brown was a strong objector to the project, stating that it did not comply with 18 council standards but three were particularly concerning.
“I have no difficulties with increasing residential facilities in that area, and the actual design looks good, but there are three critical areas that I believe aren’t up to a satisfactory standard,” he said.
Cr Brown said the 48 basement car parks for 38 apartments was inadequate, having only one stairwell was a safety concern and the lack of washing and drying facilities meant dirty washing would literally be aired in public.
“It is unresponsive to the future needs of the residents.”
“I think the whole application could have been better if it considered adequate parking, the washing and drying facilities and making the building much safer for future residents if a second stairwell was installed – which it does not.”
The proposal is for a four-storey apartment building with 10 one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-bedrooms apartments and four three-bedroom apartments.
The applicant must now meet a number of conditions before a building approval is issued, including addressing the single stairwell by obtaining a waiver from a fire engineer, or provide a second, and providing a clothesline for each apartment’s balcony which can be hidden when not in use.
Councillors Loi Truong and Youhorn Chea fought for the application during the council meeting by arguing the development was needed by the ageing Asian community.
“Elderly Asian people want to move close to medical facilities and shopping centres,” Cr Truong said.
“People are living in inappropriate accommodation because there is not enough accommodation. People need this.”
The apartment complex responded to the needs of the residents, Cr Chea said.
“It is close to the shopping centre, close to the station and very, very close to alternative parking,” he said.
But for Cr Brown the problems meant it did not adequately meet the community’s needs.
“There is no second stairwell, lack of a washing area, disability access isn’t satisfied and many bedrooms have no direct sunlight and ventilation,” he said.
“This is not something to serve elderly community who may take advantage of the one-bedroom apartments.”
Crs Chea, Truong, Pinar Yessil, Jim Memeti, Angela Long, Paul Donovan and mayor Roz Blades supported the application.
Crs Brown, Yvonne Herring, Maria Sampey and John Kelly opposed the development.