City of Bayside Rejects Golden Age Group's Brighton Development Plans

The proposal involved subdividing land at 47 South Road to construct 84 two- and three-bedroom homes, which would have added a substantial number of new residences to one of Melbourne’s most desirable suburbs. However, the council unanimously turned down both applications after significant public opposition, which included 105 objections to the development application and 54 objections to the subdivision application.

Community members expressed concerns about various issues, including potential noise, the impact on existing heritage properties, inadequate infrastructure, overdevelopment, and problems related to overshadowing and overlooking.

Designed by Carr Architects, the development plans featured 172 car parking spaces and 17 bicycle spaces across 14 buildings, which would have occupied 75% of the 32,926-square-meter site. Although the project had an estimated cost of over $50 million, it did not qualify for a fast-track approval process with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, as it did not include provisions for social housing.

Following the council's decision, Golden Age Group has appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in hopes of overturning the rejection.