VIC: Private uni plan could mean demolition of historic houses

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-1998
VIC: Private uni plan could mean demolition of historic houses

MELBOURNE, Dec 30 AAP - Fresh plans were approved today for a new $250 million private
university for Melbourne, but they could still mean the demolition of 15 historic terrace
houses.

Planning Minister Rob Maclellan said the Melbourne University private campus, in inner
suburban Carlton, had been approved "as a project of state significance".

But he backed away from an earlier course of "calling in" the project and appointing an
independent panel to consider objections, which would remove the right to appeal.

Instead, Mr Maclellan will now get interested parties together to negotiate "design and
heritage matters".

"I have persuaded the university to withdraw that application completely (in order) to put
in a fresh application, which has been approved as a contextual one, so that we can then start
with ... direct negotiations with the parties," he told reporters.

He said this would be a "much better approach to the whole thing".

The proposed demolition of the terrace houses has been opposed by the local council, the
National Trust and local residents.

The private campus, which is expected to have its first students in the year 2001, will
also require street closures and removal of the Victoria Bowling Club.

Mr Maclellan said he did not know what would happen to the terrace houses.

Keeping the terrace facades might be examined but there were architectural difficulties
involved.

Asked whether he would prefer to keep the facades, given their heritage value, Mr Maclellan
said: "I think that would be one starting point, but not at the expense of losing a great
university."

Mr Maclellan's spokeswoman said the new plans were similar to the original plans, which
were withdrawn at the minister's request on December 24.

Melbourne City councillor Rosemary Stott criticised Mr Maclellan for bypassing the council
and not allowing open and transparent planning.

The council had not seen any defined drawings of the initial plans, had not been given the
opportunity to participate in the planning process and did not know what Mr Maclellan had
approved.

His call for negotiation was "empty words".

"He has not said he will save the heritage buildings and that is the bottom line," Cr Stott
said.

But Mr Maclellan scoffed at suggestions the council had not been adequately consulted,
saying the plans were first announced in August.

"So if they have got a problem with that, I can only say they have got a problem," he said.

"Their problem is that unless they pick up and run with issues on behalf of their
ratepayers and residents they are likely to be left behind."

Equiset Pty Ltd, the company managing the project for the university, said the amendment to
the planning scheme meant work could begin on developing programs for the new campus.

"Any unnecessary delays might have affected the financing of the project and possibly delay
its completion by 12 months," Equiset director David Mullaly said.

"Now that there is certainty, we can proceed and be able to create 800 new jobs over two
years."

AAP lmw/er/jnb

KEYWORD: UNIVERSITY

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