Sensational-Adelaide.com

Mega Melbourne plan for skyscrapers

by: Grant McArthur From: Herald Sun February 17, 2012 12:00AM

MELBOURNE'S already imposing skyline will grow to Manhattan-like proportions under a bold plan to expand the Victorian capital's CBD.

The radical "Grand CBD" proposal by Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy could see the city transformed into a monumental metropolis, five times its present size.

The city's tallest buildings would be built at Fishermans Bend or north of the Docklands.

Mr Guy revealed the concept to the Herald Sun, saying it could be achieved through a new Capital City Zone, which would abolish height restrictions.

"I think it could lead to the centre of Melbourne becoming one of the truly great high-density population areas for Western cities anywhere in the world," he said.

"It doesn't mean we will have Rialto-size buildings in every part of it, but what you will have is greater density and greater height throughout the expanded CBD."

"It doesn't mean that anything can go anywhere, but it does mean we are looking to expand high-rise, high-density in a central core of the city.

"We are not talking about five or six storeys, we are talking about a long-term vision to expand the focus of the central business district areas.

"It will make Melbourne an absolute icon in terms of Western cities."

The CBD's boundaries would be redrawn to allow skyscrapers from Carlton to Fishermans Bend, from Docklands to the Domain.

Mr Guy has discussed the plan with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and will release the concept today for public feedback.

The CBD grid was designed for a city of 1.5 million people, but Melbourne is now home to 4.5 million.

Mr Guy said debate was needed about how to expand the central city area to match the growth.

Transport links are seen as the most important aspect of making the mega-Melbourne proposal work, with North Melbourne and Domain train stations possibly upgraded to become key transport hubs similar to Flinders St and Southern Cross stations.

Expanding the underground loop would also have to be considered as part of the public debate.

New York-style rooftop parks are envisaged as part of the plan.

A streamlined planning approval process for the CBD to speed up and encourage development is also proposed, although height and density restrictions will remain over certain pockets of the expanded metropolis to protect key areas.

The enlarged CBD - growing from 180ha to 900ha - would see the business district dwarf Sydney's, Brisbane's and Perth's, all limited by water.

"Melbourne has a unique opportunity," Mr Guy said.

North Adelaide Society fears rezoning, development

by: Political Reporter Daniel Wills

From: The Advertiser February 17, 2012 12:00AM 19

NORTH Adelaide residents claim 10-storey towers could ruin the affluent suburb if Government rezoning goes ahead.

Planning Minister John Rau is reviewing development guidelines for the CBD and North Adelaide in an attempt to meet demands of the 30-Year Plan, including city-wide population growth of about 560,000 people.

The North Adelaide Society says it has received a map from the Adelaide City Council showing LeFevre Tce, MacKinnon Parade, Wellington Square and Palmer Place are under threat.

The society's February newsletter warns North Adelaide could become the target for residential develpment up to 10 storeys, which they fear will be "higher and denser than surrounding historic homes".

"It will be far too late to object when you discover that the street in which you live has been rezoned for much higher and denser development, your neighbours start selling out and developers start arriving with bulldozers," it states.

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Mr Rau said yesterday: "It isn't useful for anyone to run a scare campaign."

"The Government wants to protect heritage residential areas in the city and North Adelaide, while encouraging appropriate growth," he told The Advertiser.

"While the detail of the city planning review is still being discussed, the aim is to encourage the right development in the right places. There are plenty of appropriate places in the city for increased density.

"In North Adelaide, these opportunities are limited. My view is that the vast majority of North Adelaide has exactly the housing density we want to see in an inner-city area.

The Government yesterday announced Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Department chief executive Rod Hook would be interim head of the Urban Renewal Authority, which will oversee urban infill developments, such as Bowden Village, while a full-time chief is sought.

The Government expects to finalise a new "rule book" for city development by the middle of the year

Ben wrote:Funny How melbourne are doing the same thing but to a whole new level... literally.

Mega Melbourne plan for skyscrapers

by: Grant McArthur From: Herald Sun February 17, 2012 12:00AM

MELBOURNE'S already imposing skyline will grow to Manhattan-like proportions under a bold plan to expand the Victorian capital's CBD.

The radical "Grand CBD" proposal by Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy could see the city transformed into a monumental metropolis, five times its present size.

The city's tallest buildings would be built at Fishermans Bend or north of the Docklands.

Mr Guy revealed the concept to the Herald Sun, saying it could be achieved through a new Capital City Zone, which would abolish height restrictions.

"I think it could lead to the centre of Melbourne becoming one of the truly great high-density population areas for Western cities anywhere in the world," he said.

"It doesn't mean we will have Rialto-size buildings in every part of it, but what you will have is greater density and greater height throughout the expanded CBD."

"It doesn't mean that anything can go anywhere, but it does mean we are looking to expand high-rise, high-density in a central core of the city.

"We are not talking about five or six storeys, we are talking about a long-term vision to expand the focus of the central business district areas.

"It will make Melbourne an absolute icon in terms of Western cities."

The CBD's boundaries would be redrawn to allow skyscrapers from Carlton to Fishermans Bend, from Docklands to the Domain.

Mr Guy has discussed the plan with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and will release the concept today for public feedback.

The CBD grid was designed for a city of 1.5 million people, but Melbourne is now home to 4.5 million.

Mr Guy said debate was needed about how to expand the central city area to match the growth.

Transport links are seen as the most important aspect of making the mega-Melbourne proposal work, with North Melbourne and Domain train stations possibly upgraded to become key transport hubs similar to Flinders St and Southern Cross stations.

Expanding the underground loop would also have to be considered as part of the public debate.

New York-style rooftop parks are envisaged as part of the plan.

A streamlined planning approval process for the CBD to speed up and encourage development is also proposed, although height and density restrictions will remain over certain pockets of the expanded metropolis to protect key areas.

The enlarged CBD - growing from 180ha to 900ha - would see the business district dwarf Sydney's, Brisbane's and Perth's, all limited by water.

"Melbourne has a unique opportunity," Mr Guy said.

The North Adelaide Society says it has received a map from the Adelaide City Council showing LeFevre Tce, MacKinnon Parade, Wellington Square and Palmer Place are under threat.

Brando wrote:As Expected the North Adelaide Society are causing a stir regarding these changes....

Omicron wrote:

victorious80 wrote:Not necessarily advocating Adelaide does the same, but here is an example of the difference a good sized and well designed building can make to a city.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthrea ... 8&page=104

It's a fine-looking building in isolation, but my God, Adelaide looks so much better.



Hahaha.

Omicron wrote: It's a fine-looking building in isolation, but my God, Adelaide looks so much better.



Hahaha.

AdelaideAlive wrote:watching the cricket final today between sa and tas commentators had a good old laugh at adelaides expense when they showed a shot of the city skyline they said look at the skyscrapers ,they said is that what new york is like to the responce of maybe in the 1900,s then they said loook theres a 10 storey building and they replied thats the size of one the cricket players house poor taste fox commentators.but unfort true

ynotsfables wrote: Unfortunately we must rise above smart arse comments like that because the true reality is we are a young, fine looking city that will grow on our own which is the beauty of living in Adelaide, its our city and that's what makes it more special than any-other.