5.2023.438.1 - 15 Hill View Terrace, East Victoria Park (Edward Millen site) (Closed)

The Town has received a development application for the above from Hatch Roberts Day acting on behalf of Blackoak Capital Ventures (ie. Blackoak). The value of the development is estimated to be $12.5 million. 

The land is owned by the Town, but is the subject of an Agreement for Lease (AFL) with Blackoak. Blackoak’s proposed redevelopment includes carrying out heritage restoration work on buildings. Subject to satisfaction of condition precedents under the AFL, Blackoak will lease the land for an initial period of 20 years and be responsible for managing the use of the land and all buildings (including paying rates, taxes, outgoings, insurance, service upgrades & ongoing maintenance costs of the buildings).

The site contains a number of buildings of heritage value, with the site being listed on the State Register of Heritage Places and the Town’s Heritage List, and there being a Heritage Agreement in place detailing conservation works required to be undertaken to the existing buildings.

The proposed development is summarised as follows :

• The existing Rotunda building (two storey building) is to be restored for use as a bakery, café, retail and upper floor offices.
• The existing Mildred Creak building is to be restored for use as a bar, bistro and micro brewery with indoor and outdoor spaces, museum/gallery and community function rooms available for hire by community groups or for functions.
• The licenced facilities (subject of a liquor licence) are likely to operate until 11pm – 12am (midnight) and will be subject to further liquor licencing requirements.
• Other uses on-site include gelato ice cream, an artist studio within existing outbuildings, landscape spaces for community markets and productive gardens, animal pens and shelter, and a new building for child care purposes.
• The child care centre is to accommodate up to 104 children and approximately 20 staff, and operate from 6.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
• Demolition of minor structures which have minimal heritage value.
• Two parking areas are provided on-site – a 30 bay car park accessed off Baillie Avenue which will serve the child care centre during its operation, and a 52 bay car park accessed off Hill View Terrace (ie. a total of 82 on-site bays within the lease area). This latter parking area is to connect to a 37 bay car park to be constructed by the Town as part of the adjoining parkland upgrade.  The applicant contends that there is also capacity for an additional 65 cars to be parked either on the street or verge along Albany Highway and Baillie Avenue, and therefore a total of 184 bays are available for use by the proposed development.
• Trees - 25 existing trees of medium or high value to be removed; three existing trees to be transplanted elsewhere on the site; and 120 new trees to be planted on-site.  UPDATED 8/12/2023 - 25 existing trees proposed to be removed (17 high value; 5 medium value; 3 low value); three existing trees to be transplanted elsewhere on the site; and 120 new trees to be planted on-site.  See 'Addendum 8-12-2023 - Proposed Tree Removal' for further information on the number, the species and explanation for the proposed tree removal.  FURTHER UPDATE 15/12/2023 - 16 existing trees to be removed (10 high value; 4 medium value; 2 low value); five existing trees to be transplanted elsewhere on the site; and 120 new trees to be planted on-site.  See 'Addendum 15-12-2023' for further information and amended Development Application Report, amended Landscape Masterplan, amended Architectural Plans and amended Transport Impact Assessment.

In accordance with Local Planning Policy 37 – “Community Consultation on Planning Proposals” the development is classed as a significant application. The Town of Victoria Park is inviting you to provide comments on the proposal.

Any comments you wish to make on the proposed development are to be submitted in writing by no later than Friday 12 January 2024,