A proposal in St Kilda could remove height limits and long-standing protections on a key heritage site — permanently.

If approved, this decision would allow future development on this land and surrounding streets (Carlisle St, Havelock St, Albert St) with no effective height or character controls. It would also concentrate traffic on a major intersection and set a precedent for similar developments across St Kilda.

What’s being proposed?

A developer is seeking approval for a new hotel at 2–8 Carlisle Street under planning provisions that could remove key limits on height and built form. If approved, this could allow significantly larger development on this site — beyond the 7 storeys shown — and set a precedent for more high-rise development across St Kilda.

Our position:

• We are NOT against the development of a hotel, and we agree the existing Cosmopolitan Hotel needs to be replaced.
• What we oppose is this specific proposal and we intend to advocate for more reasonable specifications and the removal of potential loopholes. Read our Community response.
• We welcome projects that modernise and uplift our neighbourhood and make it more liveable, attractive, and safe. Many things need to change in St Kilda, but we have to do so while also respecting its DNA, its lifestyle and long-term vision.

Why this matters:

• The local Council has been bypassed in this process. This sits with the Victorian State Government.
• No effective height limit on the site — now or in the future. Rezoning could permanently remove protections in a heritage streetscape.
• Taller than surrounding heritage landmarks: Luna Park, the Palais Theatre and the National Theatre
• Traffic chaos at major intersection: Ongoing hotel activity will affect traffic flow and turn the area into a congestion hotspot.
• Sets a precedent for more high-rise development. Once a heritage site gets an uncapped zone, they can build more. Don't let it become a wall of high-rises like South Yarra or Port Melbourne.

Once approved, this cannot be reversed.

We call on the Minister for Planning to:

• Refuse this application, or
• At minimum, introduce strict limits on height, and more reasonable specifications as proposed in our Community response.

How to get involved:

1. Sign this petition to support our Community Response.
2. Submit an individual survey response to object the project on the Engage Victoria “Have Your Say” website
   Submissions close on 8 April 2026.

This is the only opportunity for the community to be heard.