Windsor Hotel blasted over threat to shut down
The Windsor Hotel's owner has threatened to close it within months, putting 260 jobs in jeopardy. The Halim Group said it would appeal against the State Government's refusal this week to extend a planning permit granted by the previous government.
Owner Adi Halim vowed the $285 million redevelopment would go ahead, but he said without a permit extension he would have no option but to close down, cancel bookings, and rush building work so it is completed by the original November 2014 deadline.
Visitors from China alone have booked more than 8000 nights at the hotel, and 355 events, as well as 56 weddings, are also booked.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy, who this week refused to extend the planning permit, said: "To use people's jobs and weddings as blackmail to get a favourable decision on a planning permit is quite disgraceful.
"The developers were fully aware of all of the permit conditions when it was given to them by the Labor government. To claim at the 11th hour that they need to alter the conditions is either unbelievable or foolish."
The Halims were given three years to begin redevelopment, but more than a year passed as it complied with heritage regulations.
Mr Halim said he applied for an extension to recover the lost year and allow for a three-stage development that would enable the hotel to stay open during work.
A 25-story extension to the 1883 building was approved by the Brumby government. But controversy erupted when an email, which suggested public consultations about the proposal were a sham aimed at raising grounds to refuse the proposal, emerged.
Mr Guy, who objected to the permit in Opposition, said he had no choice but to reject an extension for the plan. He believes the redevelopment, which includes a 91m tower, would be an eyesore destroying the Windsor's heritage value.
"The whole disgrace of the Windsor Hotel fiasco will always be on Victorians' minds, should this building be built," he said.
The developer has to begin building by November or walk away.
The Halim Group is appealing to VCAT.
Source: The Herald Sun, 20 July 2012
