By Jason Dowling
A PLANNING application for a massive 474-unit apartment development in towers of up to 10 storeys has been lodged for suburban Bundoora.
A development company called Park Rise Australia has lodged plans for three apartment towers of 10 storeys and two towers of seven storeys, for the residential development at the former Smorgy's restaurant site at 1091 Plenty Road on the edge of Bundoora Park.
Earmarked for development: the site of the former Smorgy's restaurant in Bundoora.Credit: Craig Abraham
The development is expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
A report by Glossop Town Planning, in support of the developer, said the site was well suited to the large housing proposal.
''The development provides additional housing in an inner-urban area with convenient access to a range of existing community facilities and infrastructure, which directly responds to urban consolidation and the increasing population,'' the report said.
The application is being advertised by Darebin Council after it was lodged with the council in March.
In addition to the hundreds of units, the development includes 11 food and drink premises, 542 car parking spaces and 317 bicycle spaces.
Local resident Andrew Lauva said the proposal was too big for the site and the council had not provided enough information to residents.
''Nothing of that scale has ever been built in Bundoora,'' Mr Lauva said.
Darebin councillor Tim Laurence said, ''The reaction against this application is very strong. It looks like being the most unpopular development application in Darebin's history''.
A report on the application, including any objections, will be presented to council after the advertising period. The Age has been unable to contact Park Rise Australia.