{"id":814289,"date":"2026-07-21T11:56:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T11:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/814289\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T11:56:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T11:56:16","slug":"political-heavyweights-join-campaign-against-16-storey-hawthorn-tower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/814289\/","title":{"rendered":"Political heavyweights join campaign against 16-storey Hawthorn tower"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RachaelSave<\/p>\n

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n

Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n

AAA<\/p>\n

Vacant except for a trio of empty shopfronts and the odd patch of grass, this land in the heart of one of Hawthorn\u2019s busiest shopping strips must be developed, everyone agrees.<\/p>\n

But a new proposal to build a 16-storey tower at 846-858 Glenferrie Road \u2013 twice the height that has already been approved and four storeys above state government-imposed activity centre height limits \u2013 has sparked backlash from residents and political heavyweights in the inner east.<\/p>\n

\"BoroondaraBoroondara Community Group President Jane Oldham said the site at 850 Glenferrie Road must be developed but is among locals concerned about a new 16-storey proposal.Justin McManus<\/p>\n

Last year, Boroondara Council granted permission to build an eight-storey building comprising 41 apartments and retail space on the site.<\/p>\n

Now the developer wants to increase the number of apartments to 78 and has sought permission directly from Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny for the $65 million development through a government pathway that bypasses councils for planning approvals.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"An<\/a><\/p>\n

Some 17.5 per cent of apartments would be affordable housing or the developer would make a cash contribution equivalent to 5.25 per cent of costs, which is above minimum requirements, plans show.<\/p>\n

No decision has been made, and Boroondara Council is urging the state government to stick to its own height limits and cap the building at 12 storeys, while federal MP for Kooyong Monique Ryan and former opposition leader John Pesutto are among residents supportive of the building topping out at eight levels.<\/p>\n

Boroondara Community Group president Jane Oldham, a local who advocates for better liveability in the inner east, also believes the site is perfect for an eight-storey development with housing.<\/p>\n

Oldham wants to spread out development in locations close to transport or activity and is concerned the new proposal will overshadow Glenferrie Road, which could undermine efforts to develop that end of the strip by attracting bars, restaurants and cafes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concern with 16 storeys is about overdevelopment of a site that will impact on the amenity of future residents and of the public on Glenferrie Road,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Boroondara Council has no decision-making power but is pushing for the development to be limited to 12 storeys. Mayor Wes Gault has urged the planning minister to pay attention to concerns about overshadowing, the amount of affordable housing, landscaping and public amenity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the minister allows this proposal to be built as designed, ignoring the [height] rules she put in place just months ago, it will be clear community views are irrelevant to this government, and the community should have no confidence in the state\u2019s planning scheme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not arguing for the status quo or trying to stop developments \u2013 we agree this is a great site for a new development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glenferrie Road Traders Association president Rajna Jollie said she was concerned a 16-storey development would change the look of the street and affect the shopping precinct\u2019s vibrant atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn artist\u2019s impression of a proposed 16-storey tower in Hawthorn.Outline Projects<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to protect small businesses in these small local areas that have boutique-type style shopping experiences for our customers and our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Hawthorn MP and former opposition leader John Pesutto described the proposal as \u201ctotally inappropriate\u201d for the area, and hit out at the Labor government\u2019s development facilitation pathway, which bypasses councils.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is becoming a bit of a parody, it\u2019s pretending to be a process where it\u2019s really just an opportunity for a government, in my frank opinion, to slam onto communities projects like this,\u201d Pesutto told a council meeting this week.<\/p>\n

Federal MP for Kooyong Monique Ryan said she supported mixed-use, medium-density housing at the site.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very much in favour of increased housing in Hawthorn and surrounding suburbs that\u2019s done in a sensitive and inclusive way,\u201d Ryan told the meeting.<\/p>\n

\"AA $65 million 16-storey development is proposed for Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. Justin McManus<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m deeply opposed to the lack of clarity and assurance regarding the affordable housing component of this site and to the state government\u2019s failure to consult communities like us adequately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several neighbouring residents expressed concerns about the proposal at the council meeting, while others were broadly supportive of efforts to create more housing.<\/p>\n

Peter Forsyth, managing director of the site\u2019s developer, Outline Projects, said he was aware of community feedback and would work through the issues with the Department of Transport and Planning.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Northcote<\/a><\/p>\n

He said he was excited to deliver the \u201cexemplar project\u201d with leading architecture firm Wardle, and emphasised the application included generous affordable housing above government requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have engaged in the planning approval process via the state government\u2019s planning pathway and have worked through a detailed design process in the context of the state government\u2019s recent planning reforms for activity centres,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

YIMBY Melbourne lead organiser Jonathan O\u2019Brien said taller buildings were more cost-effective for developers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople have this idea that quite tall buildings will ruin character. It\u2019s not necessarily clear to me that people really notice how tall a building is once it\u2019s built,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat tends to be more important is what\u2019s at that ground level, and it seems like this is going to have an active frontage with retail people can engage with.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Victorian government spokesperson claimed the council was blocking new homes in suburbs like Hawthorn and Kew which had the effect of \u201clocking out\u201d workers, families and young Victorians from well-connected areas.<\/p>\n

Editor’s pick\"US<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been focused on overhauling our planning system to get more homes built so more families and young Victorians can live close to what matters to them,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny proposal will be considered on its merits, and as this application is currently under assessment, it would be inappropriate to comment further.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get the day\u2019s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.<\/a><\/p>\n

Save<\/p>\n

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n

Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n

\"RachaelRachael Ward<\/a> is a journalist in the City team at The Age. Contact her at rachael.ward@theage.com.auConnect via email<\/a>.From our partners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":814290,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,44],"class_list":["post-814289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/814290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}