Bundoora go ahead

Approval has finally been given for Park Rise Australia to build a series of towers on the site of the Smorgy's restaurant in Melbourne's Bundoora.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found in favour of developer Park Rise Australia, which had appealed against Darebin council's rejection of its application last year. VCAT approved revised plans that included 378 apartments across six multi-storey towers. Park Rise Australia originally lodged plans to develop the site into five towers up to 11 storeys high, comprising 474 apartments and 11 retail premises. The council rejected the application following a community backlash that drew more than 600 objections.

The site sits on the edge of metropolitan Melbourne's largest regional open space, Bundoora Park.

The restaurant burnt down in suspicious circumstances on September 8 just after the decision was announced.

Source: AccomNews, 18 September 2013