Save the Brickworks : Current Campaign (2009)

Changes to the approved Development Plan

Application No. MPS/2008/313

The Hoffmans Brickworks developer has submitted an application to change the development plan. Their proposal is presented as minor changes to the approved Development Plan (2006) but is probably the most significant change to the original concept that we have seen.

The previous plan was for commercial uses of the kiln, with space and features retained for interpretation of the history. One of the proposed changes is to put residential apartments into the kilns, which naturally has a much larger impact on the heritage values of the kilns.

The extent of the latest changes proposed by the developers is astounding.

The developers claim they are asking for a smaller replacement building on the Gatehouse site but on every count they are asking for more residential units.

These changes will devastate the heritage values of the brickworks and kill off most of the benefits or ‘return’ to the community:

• The kilns will sit in a sea of car parking: cars will be parked between the kilns, over the footprint of Kiln 1 and right up to the front of Building 5 taking over all remaining public space. Below ground, the carpark has also been enlarged.
• Each kiln will be divided up into small apartments – each with a balcony sticking out of the kiln and skylights will be cut into the roofs. There will be 14 apartments in Kiln 3 (the one closest to Dawson Street) and 19 apartments in Kiln 2, the oldest standing Hoffman kiln in Australia.
• More apartments have been added to Building 6 (the red brick building on the corner of Brickworks Drive/Dawson St) and to 6A (a new building to occupy the location of the heritage listed edge-runner mill): a total of 31 compared to 20 previously. Building E, the new building proposed to replace the lovely old Gatehouse has increased from 23 to 28 apartments.
• Building 5 (brick press shed) now has 18 ‘commercial’ spaces – 9 on the ground floor and 11 upstairs. Previously the larger open commercial spaces (2-3 on ground floor and an open space upstairs) allowed views across the vast interiors of the building and into the interpretation areas containing the dramatic rows of brick-making machines, clay hoppers and elevators. Now these commercial spaces are small, walled-off boxes discouraging public access.
• For those who live at the brickworks, the changes seem to offer more traffic, more parking congestion, reduce amenity, and offer none of the lifestyle benefits once offered to entice people to buy in to the development.

Save the Brickworks thinks these changes will devastate this wonderful icon of Brunswick.

• The proposed changes will have big impacts – on the heritage and on residents
• If the Development Plan needs to be changed yet again, a publicly exhibited planning scheme amendment is the proper way to proceed: it gives everyone a real chance to understand what is proposed and to make comments.
• The need to change the Development Plan has not been demonstrated by the developers. The revised Development Plan was pushed through in September 2006. Then the developers argued that they needed it urgently to proceed. Since then, they have not done any conservation or development works – rather they have let the Brickworks run-down even more.

Process

On September 30th 2009, Moreland council hosted an Interested Parties Meeting involving Councillors O'Connelan and Pryor, a council officer, representatives from Urbis, who explained the changes in the application on behalf of the developer, and residents who made a submission to council regarding the application.

That meeting will form the basis of a report to council. After that the council will make a decision as to whether or not to accept the changes to the Development Plan proposed by the developer.

Update 2009Nov11

Moreland Council received 65 objections to the developer's current plans.

The Urban Planning Committee voted unanimously to refuse the request to revise the development plan and to refuse the planning application (i.e. detailed plans for buildings). See Council Resolution below for details on what happens now (the developer is appealing to VCAT), and the full resolution passed by Council.

Heritage Victoria - Interested parties meeting

Heritage Victoria is holding an interested parties meeting on the Hoffman Brickworks heritage permit application. Heritage Victoria has sent invitations for this meeting to those people who lodged objections with Heritage Victoria as well as Moreland Council. The meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, 12 November 2009 from 4 pm to 5.30 pm at Heritage Victoria's offices at level 4, 55 Collins St, Melbourne.

Campaign Documents

Flyer notifying of Application No. MPS/2008/313.     In PDF format

STB's objection to Application No. MPS/2008/313

Council Communications

Council resolution re. Application No. MPS/2008/313

The minutes of the council meeting 2009Oct28 will be available after they have been confirmed at the Nov11 meeting, at the council web site :
Minutes and past agendas - Moreland City Council, Victoria, Australia