We are very pleased to see Council identifying the key issues currently constraining the city centre, and proposing reform to address these issues. We are supportive of the proposals to strengthen the retail core, improve permeability, green the city and protect solar access.
Our primary concerns with the Framework are:
• The proposed commercial-only precincts and the impact on development feasibility and renewal in these areas of the city centre.
• The proposed reductions in floor space ratio and/or height of buildings in various precincts of the city based on subjective ‘place’ criteria.
• The proposed leveraging of development to fund public domain improvements and affordable housing supply without additional uplift to support development feasibility.
• The proposed expansion of the Design Review Panel process, the expansion of key sites, and the application of a design excellence competition to these key sites, which will add unnecessary complexity, delay and expense to renewing the city centre.