They all need to go- no to people in decision making positions that are not standing up for us

They all need to go- we cannot leave people in decision making positions that are not standing up for and protecting us, the voting public.

Boroondara Council photo above.

Reject the State Government Overreach + Reject our Local Council for not objecting to it

https://www.jesswilsonkew.com.au/survey/protect-kews-character-review-the-leos-site-development 

Kew Village – James Packer + Orchard Piper + Consortium

Former Leo’s Supermarket site - 26-36 Princess Street + 11-15 Brougham Street KEW

•   6000 sqm site      
•  4 Towers :1 X 18 storeys, 1 X 14 storeys, 2 X 4 storeys
•  194 dwellings or 400 bedrooms
•  1 X supermarket
•  18 shops + commercial offices
•  419 car parks for residential and retail
•  green space

“Prices for apartments in the newly approved Kew Village precinct are yet to be finalized. However, as a guide for premium developments in the area, off-the-plan multi-bedroom units typically start around $1,690,000, with larger luxury residences and penthouses fetching between $2.5 million and $5.95 million. [The Urban Developer, Domain]”

What we have done :

Letter of Objection for: Department of Planning and Transport 

·       Submitted and receipt acknowledged according to statutory requirements ( April 5th, 2026 )

Change Org Petition commenced April 6th, 2026 : https://www.change.org/StopKewVillage

Letter of Objection : Kew Council 

·        Submitted and receipt acknowledged according to statutory requirements 

( April 5th, 2026)

Letter of Objection :Presentation to Council Urban Planning Meeting (April 20th, 2026 )

This is available to view on the Council website and via YouTube Urban Planning Delegated Committee Meeting - 20 April 2026 

• Letter of Objection / Complaint : Victorian Ombudsman ( May 26th , 2026 )
• Letter of Complaint : IBAC ( May 27th , 2026 )

What has our Local Council done :

April 20th, 2026 Urban Planning Delegated Committee Meeting - Kew Council decision :

·        Cr Sophie Torney put forth a motion that the development proceeds with the Council Town Planners’ suggestions : “ Motion Carried “ for Kew Village 

·        No mention of all the really important issues raised by his residents, especially traffic and safety. 

·        Our Council did not ‘battle for its residents’.

·        Our Council made a ‘submission’ to the State Government; they did not OBJECT.

The Boroondara Bulletin June/July 2026 Page 4 “ Planning update : 4 towers approved for supermarket site”.

“What are the positives?

We see well designed, higher-density development in appropriate locations as the key to enabling more people to live in Boroondara. Kew Junction’s good public transport, services and facilities make the former Leo’s supermarket site an ideal location for a large mixed-use development.

The proposal does consider improvements to public spaces, connections to nearby sites and growth of the Kew activity centre in ways that align with Council’s goals.

We will continue to work with the developer to ensure the best possible outcome for the community. However, the fast-tracking approval process by the Victorian Government remains a major cause for concern, as we believe local councillors, elected by residents, should have the final say on what is built in our communities.”

Is this a serious statement ? Our Council have not pushed back on this State Government in any way or objected in any meaningful way – “concern” – such a woeful, inadequate and worthless stance.

So what are our Local Council and State Government giving us :

Towers higher than the planning law

A mega block of concrete

A visual intrusion to the skyline from all directions

Overlooking to our homes and gardens

“Fake shadow diagrams showing sunlight not impacted, how ? “

Mega shadows in all directions – over homes, gardens and the War Memorial

Reflections and glare

Impact to the environment – waste, noise and emissions

Every dwelling does not have a car park - where are all residents and shoppers going to park ?

It is fantasy that this an affordable housing project – proposed 10% for affordale housing  is 19 dwellings and the other 175 dwellings are mega $$million dwellings for the developer to build and sell OR the developer can contribute 3% of their cost to council/ government – what is 3% of a proposed $520 Million development?

“Fake Traffic Assessment” – with a conclusion that Kew Junction will continue to operate under EXCELLENT CONDITIONS” ?

“Fake Activity Centre” definition - there are no trains and the tram and bus lines are already full and congested – is there a suggestion that more tram and buses routes will be added – the lived experience says No.

There is no accessible access for our Public Transport – you need to walk onto the road and up into the tram and bus. No wheelchairs/ disabled persons/ mums with prams access etc

No serious car parking or traffic management plan.

Why has this Planning Permit been approved ?

The Planning Permit has been issued entirely as proposed in height and mass.

It has been approved with all the above stated objections not addressed.

This mega overdevelopment will make us all less safe and will put us in the community walking / accessing Public Transport / and those driving through is harm’s way. 

This is pure negligence.

This is what happens when established legal processes created democratically are dismissed by the State Government and the State Government believe their “Activity Centre” proposal should just be accepted by us.

This is No to the State Government and our local Council.

This cannot be the best we can do – this cannot be our permanent legacy and contribution to our environment and our world.

Next Steps :

Victorian State Parliament next week to support the Liberal Opposition presenting a “disallowance motion” to get rid of the Jacinta Allen State Government mega Activity Centre developments continuing across all of Victoria.

The ‘disallowance is being sponsored by David Davis Liberal Party – Member of the Victorian Legislative Council and Jess Wilson – Victorian Liberal Party Leader

Sign the following petition to support the ‘disallowance motion’

https://www.jesswilsonkew.com.au/survey/protect-kews-character-review-the-leos-site-development 

Activity Centres and the Jacinta Allen State Government overreach is NOT helping housing supply in Victoria – they have their own agenda.

May 27th, 2026 : Housing Industry ­Association releases key pre-election demands

Australia’s biggest residential building group is urging the Allan government to be more supportive of building all home types to avoid ending up with a situation of “winners and losers”.

Australia’s biggest residential building group is calling on the state government “to let builders build the homes that Victorians want”.

With duties in some cases adding up to 40 per cent of the cost of new builds, calls include extending stamp duty concessions to house-and-land packages, ­reducing red tape on builders, encouraging more young people into the industry, and axing some land taxes.

HIA Victoria executive ­director Keith Ryan said the government needed to be more supportive of building all home types, not just high density.

“A real concern of our membership is that the government has a tendency to try and pick winners and losers and decide what should and shouldn’t be built, and what people should and should not want to live in,” he said.

“Policies that help families and individuals fulfill their dreams of getting into their home – granting them the stability they need to access education and employment, build social connections, and participate fully in society.

“Victorians deserve no less.”