We, the undersigned residents and community members, strongly object to Planning Application PA2503647 for the proposed development at 675 Victoria Street, Abbotsford, including part of Crown Allotment 63B, Parish of Jika Jika.

This development poses significant and irreversible risks to the surrounding community, environment, and public infrastructure. Our objections are as follows:

PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN

The proposal has no on-site pick/up drop off zone and has no credible traffic plan. This will result in overflow to neighbouring Acacia Place and residents of the new development will also seek pick-up on the busy Victoria St. This may lead to traffic accidents and human causality. 

DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT ADDRESS HOUSING SUPPLY SHORTAGES

The proposed development at 675 Victoria Street does not contribute meaningfully to alleviating local housing supply shortages. Abbotsford currently has over 270 short-term rental listings (as of July 2025), including apartments marketed as luxury short stays in the adjacent Acacia Place complex. Additionally, 117 newly completed apartment units remain unsold or unrented, as reported by the CMHC Market Absorption Survey.

HEIGHT AND YARRA RIVER CORRIDOR

The proposed 14 storey plans (plus basement carparks) state the building would have a maximum height of 41.3 m when measured from Victoria St and 43.84 m when measured from the river interface (Planning 2 report 3.2.1). This outrageously ignores the preferred height to protect the river corridor and the objectives of the DDO (Planning report 5.4.1). The site will impose significant visual intrusion of the river from the roads, paths and the Main Yarra Park trail. 

NO PUBLIC BENEFIT

There are over 1,580 commercial properties are currently listed for lease in Abbotsford. The proposed commercial spaces are unlikely to be tenanted. Similar spaces nearby remain vacant.

EXCESSIVE SCALE AND VISUAL DOMINANCE 
The proposed high-rise is out of scale with the surrounding low- to mid-rise context AND t would overwhelm the neighbourhood. The proposed building is far too close to existing Acacia Place apartments. The west-facing Acacia Place building relies on afternoon sunlight. The proposed development would block this light for much of the year, especially in winter, depriving residents of natural light for up to nine months annually. Tenants will be forced to leave the building after construction blocked natural light, creating a 'tunnelling affect' and triggering mental health issues.

LAND EROSION AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY
Tree removal and excavation near the Yarra River embankment raise concerns about erosion and slope stability. No geotechnical risk assessment has been provided. A development of this magnitude would cause irreversible land erosion and damage to the native vegetation along the Yarra Trail as evidenced by the Dight Falls Erosion and Warburton Riverbank stabilisation projects. 

UNSUSTIANABLE PRESSURE ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE 
The area is serviced by a single tram route, already congested during peak hours. The development would increase demand without any infrastructure upgrades. 

FLOOD RISK AND DRAINAGE ISSUES
The site is within a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO). It already experiences flooding during heavy rain. The development does not adequately address flood mitigation, contrary to Clause 13.03-1S.

MISLEADING VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS
The submitted renders are misleading, omitting key sightlines and depicting non-existent structures. This undermines transparency and breaches Clause 71.02-3.

How We Would Be Affected

As residents and community members, we would be directly and materially affected in the following ways:

Loss of community character and cohesion
Reduced habitability due to loss of light, noise, and privacy
Strain on shared amenities and infrastructure
Increased congestion, overcrowding, and traffic conflict
Safety and security concerns for residents, including children and elderly
Ongoing noise and disruption during and after construction
 

Conclusion

This development application is fundamentally flawed. It fails to meet the planning objectives of the Yarra Planning Scheme, undermines residential amenity, and poses unacceptable environmental and infrastructure risks.

We respectfully request that the Minister for Planning exercise powers under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to refuse Planning Application PA2503647 in full.