WORK is under way on a controversial three-tower development that is expected to be the catalyst for more investment in Sunshine.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Metrowest Foundry Towers project was a central part of plans to make Sunshine the epicentre of the inner-west.
“This government has a great level of confidence and a huge level of faith that Melbourne’s inner-west will be the place to do business and live into the future,” Mr Guy told State Parliament last week, after launching building works at the site on the corner of Foundry and Hampshire roads.
The $158 million, three-stage Metrowest project is the first major mixed-use development of its type in Sunshine. It will have 258 apartments, 26 shops and a 15,000-square-metre office within three towers of eight and nine storeys.
“A number of projects are already under way, including the Visy Cares Hub upgrade, stage one of the $4.3 million Sunshine library and learning centre, and the Hampshire Square $3.2 million development,” Mr Guy said.
“A further $880 million is being spent in the Sunshine activities area as part of the Regional Rail Link project. That will eliminate two level crossings, which are causing backlogs and long delays in the activities area.”
Mr Guy said his vision was to make Melbourne a “20-minute city”, using a blueprint to ensure every suburb is located within a short commute to everyday services and jobs.
Brimbank Council chairman John Watson said the development would put Sunshine on the private investment radar.
“Why is Sunshine such a good investment? In three simple words: land, linkages and location,” Mr Watson said.
ABD Group managing director Raffaele Aiello, who heads the private development consortium that bought the site in July last year, is working with council and the project team on commercial imperatives for the site and broader objectives for Sunshine’s town centre.
“The collaborative planning approach has resulted in an exceptional redevelopment plan for the Metrowest precinct that sets a new benchmark for high-quality architecture, planning and development in the region,” Mr Aiello said.
However, as reported by the Weekly last October, the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association accused council of breaching planning laws in approving plans to increase the number of units in the development.
Referring to an amended plan, Mr Aiello said it would “deliver a significantly improved project, closely aligned with increasing market demand for affordable high-quality apartments, and it is ideally located next to extensive shopping, education and public transport”.
Metrowest sales director Glyn Bosisto said close to 80 per cent of apartments had been sold off the plan in the first two weeks.
“Most purchasers are from local postcodes, representing a high level of community demand for and acceptance of the alternative housing types this redevelopment brings to the area.”
Stage one, including 119 apartments and 13 shops, is expected to be completed in 2014.
