Whitehorse City Council has approved a plan to revitalise Box Hill Central shopping centre and provide improved public space, more offices and apartments.
After careful consideration, Council supported three planning permits for Vicinity Centres at its Monday night meeting.
The applications include plans for a 51-storey residential, office and retail tower, a partially covered public plaza, improved pedestrian and bike connections to public transport.
In considering the applications, Council noted that the plans would help create a space for people to work and live while boosting the local area for visitors, shoppers and commuters.
Council has also negotiated that a section of private land be set aside for a new north-south bicycle link at the western edge of the development.
“The development is in line with Local and State Planning Policies, with the Victorian Government designating Box Hill as a Metropolitan Activity Centre,” the Mayor said.
“We held a Consultation Forum to ensure resident concerns were taken into consideration. Our officers have worked hard to ensure all aspects of the redevelopment are in keeping with the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.”
Council had carefully considered 40 objections received from the community. The objections covered parking, traffic concerns, amenity, and bicycle access.
Council has taken these objections carefully into consideration, when assessing the applications against the requirements of the Whitehorse Planning Scheme.
The building proposes a high level of architectural quality which will add to the Centre, improving public spaces and connectivity from the Station to Prospect Street.
“Box Hill is a bustling place, it’s the economic centre of Whitehorse and beyond,” the Mayor said.
“We need to support more jobs and homes in the area close to public transport, the hospital and schools. There will be significant community benefits delivered through this redevelopment.
“What is currently a concrete loading bay and car park at the western end of Main Street will become an urban plaza through landscaping, street furniture and open space for passive recreation.”
Box Hill is the main economic centre within Whitehorse Local Government Area. The centre hosted 18,400 jobs in 2016 which is around 23 per cent of the 80,000 jobs in the municipality.
