Whitehorse Council Backs Golden Age’s Plan for Three Tall Towers
Whitehorse Council Backs Property Developer Golden Age’s Plan for Three Tall Towers on Carpark Site
Whitehorse councillors voted to support Golden Age’s application for the three new buildings — two 18-storey towers and another six-storey building — at 517-521 Station St and will request Planning Minister Richard Wynne rezone the area from a Public Use Zone to a Mixed Use Zone.
The project would include three levels of basement parking, retail premises, a gym, office space, medical centre, apartments, and a child care centre.
Cr Tanya Tescher was the only councillor to vote against the proposal, with Cr Tina Liu excusing herself from the vote after declaring a conflict of interest.
Golden Age purchased the former carpark and child care centre site — which is in the heart of Box Hill’s Major Development Precinct — at 517-521 Station St from the council for $51.8 million in August.
Golden Age managing director Jeff Xu said he was excited the project had passed its first hurdle.
“We are extremely appreciative of the time and effort the City of Whitehorse has spent with us in developing the proposed scheme, which we believe would raise the level of amenity and services in this much-loved Box Hill Central precinct,” Mr Xu said.
Box Hill will be home to a collection of high rises; Sky One will reach 122.8m, while the under construction Whitehorse Towers will reach 115m. A 30-storey tower is expected to be built next to Whitehorse Towers while there are plans for a 37-storey, 30-storey and 18-storey development nearby.
Whitehorse corporate services manager Peter Smith said the proposed development was in line with what the council had in mind for the site when it sold the carpark last year.
“The redevelopment will feature large public open spaces with multiple street frontages, a mix of commercial and retail spaces, residential accommodation and a 107 place child care facility (an increase of 72 places).”
Mr Smith also said the money from the sale of the carpark would be put towards constructing a multi-deck car park for approximately 380 cars in Harrow St, Box Hill, and the remaining funds would be added to the council’s development reserve.
At the time of writing, no documentation had yet been lodged with the planning minister, State Government spokesman Patrick Lane said.