Photo: heraldsun.com.au

Chair of Brimbank Administrators John Watson said that following a careful assessment of the application and after taking into account community feedback received on the proposal, Council had decided to approve the application subject to certain conditions.

“Council is pleased to approve the construction of a seven storey building on this site to be used to accommodate the VicRoads Regional office, which is currently located on Ballarat Road Sunshine and employs 150 staff.

“The new development will provide office space and car parking for VicRoads, with additional space available for other commercial tenants.

“While the building will be larger and more prominent than buildings on the sites around it, the development is consistent with the Sunshine Town Centre Structure Plan and provided for by the Brimbank Planning Scheme,” Mr Watson said.

Other major developments already constructed in Sunshine, include the new Brimbank Community and Civic Centre on Hampshire Road, which opened on 25 July to the community.

The development includes 150 onsite car parking spaces.

“Council has been mindful of the fact that concerns had been raised about the provision of car parking for the new development.

“In addition to the 150 onsite car parking spaces, Council has required the applicant to provide additional spaces within reasonable walking distance of the site, or the option of contributions towards public parking or other transport and accessibility improvements in the town centre.

“It is worth noting that there will be no loss of public car parking in the busy town centre due to this project.

“This is because in accordance with a Council decision in June, Council will be extending the Brimbank Multi-deck Car Park that is currently being constructed between George and Dawson Streets Sunshine, to replace existing car park spaces,” Mr Watson said.

In June Council had resolved to authorise the sale of this parcel of land so it could be developed for an office building for the VicRoads Regional office.

The use of the site for an office is consistent with the Sunshine Town Centre Structure Plan, which provides a strategic basis for the proposed rezoning to Activity Centre Zone.

An amendment (C185) to rezone the site from Public Use Zone (for local government) to Activity Centre Zone is currently being considered.