Heritage mapping disputes head to panel as council moves to fix planning errors

Three disputed heritage mapping issues in Kensington, Carlton and the CBD are set to be referred to an independent planning panel as the City of Melbourne moves to tidy up a series of errors in its planning scheme.

Councillors will consider Amendment C466melb at the August 18 Future Melbourne Committee meeting, following public exhibition earlier this year.

The amendment proposes a broad range of minor administrative changes to the Melbourne Planning Scheme, including correcting overlay mapping errors, removing redundant planning requirements and rezoning council-owned land at 70–90 Chelmsford St, Kensington for future public open space.

Three submissions sought changes to proposed heritage corrections.

In Kensington, Holy Rosary Primary School at 37-43 Gower St has opposed plans to extend the heritage overlay across the full length of its Gower St fence, arguing parts have been altered and additional controls could complicate future safety and access works. The Kensington Association supports the correction, while council officers say the remaining historic fence warrants protection.

At the former Ingram Bros Warehouse at 145-147 Bouverie St, Carlton, the Carlton Residents’ Association argued that an existing heritage overlay incorrectly covers only half of the site and should extend across the entire property. Council officers agree a mapping error exists, but the landowner has objected to the proposed change, citing impacts on development potential and concerns about the consultation process.

At the former Standard Bank of Australia Ltd building at 415-417 Collins St, the property owner has challenged the site’s contributory heritage status and called for a contemporary heritage assessment. Council officers maintain the site has been appropriately assessed and say the amendment is simply correcting a longstanding mapping omission rather than imposing a new heritage designation.

Council management has recommended splitting the amendment in two so the contested heritage matters can proceed to an independent planning panel without delaying the remaining changes.

The uncontested portion would proceed towards adoption, including rezoning the Chelmsford St site and correcting protections for a significant Chinese Honey Locust tree at 607-619 Bourke St.

The report says the changes are intended to make the planning scheme clearer, more accurate and less administratively burdensome. •