COLES WANT TO CHANGE CARLISLE STREET - LET'S MAKE SURE IT'S FOR THE BETTER.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL IS SELLING OFF YOUR LAND?
On 21 August 2024, the previous Port Phillip Council voted to sell a large amount of council land directly to Coles. The land includes the area behind Coles as well as a road and laneways in the carpark (see map below).
In February there will be an opportunity to have your say on Council’s plan to sell this land exclusively to Coles. Better Balaclava are not against future development, but we do want to ensure a large development like this reflects the best of Balaclava and kick-starts much-needed renewal of Carlisle Street. This site is huge and the development will be highly significant for the precinct.
If you want a say in how this land is used, rather than sit back and accept Coles’s development proposal, ask Council to pause the decision. This will give them time to ensure the conditions of sale ensure a high quality outcome that enhances the best of Balaclava, or to consider whether all of the land Port Phillip owns in the block should actually be sold straight to Coles
SQUANDERED OPPORTUNITY OR A REVITALISED CARLISLE STREET?
A hasty sell-off without proper controls in place will hinder the new Council’s and the community’s ability to influence how the land is used, potentially resulting in further delays in the vital regeneration of Carlisle Street shopping strip.
Councilors are set to vote on the final sale in March. Instead of signing your street’s future over to Coles, newly elected councillors need to pause the sale. Doing so will allow Council to set-up conditions of sale for this significant site to ensure:
• Value for money to Council and ratepayers in return for our assets
• Massing that responds to the local context
• A site for a bigger and better Coles
• A design that contributes to public amenity
• High levels of sustainability
• Appropriate levels of public and private parking
• A vibrant and thriving mix of small and large retail, and commercial uses
• Apartments we’d actually want to live in (including some affordable housing)
• Integration with the updated Carlisle Structure Plan (still in progress)
• A development that celebrates and enhances the best of Balaclava’s unique character
While Council still owns the land, the Council and community have the power to influence what will be built and how this can revitalise Carlisle Street. This is the best way to plan for a development that reflects the best of Balaclava and kick-starts much-needed renewal.
Once the land is sold, the Council and community will have no say in how Coles will be allowed to redevelop a large part of our neighbourhood, because the scale of the development means the decision will be made by the State Government, with no right of appeal to VCAT.
How you can help
Act today! Add your voice to the concern about the hasty sell-off without proper controls.
• Let Port Phillip know what you think - Register at City of Port Phillip ‘Have your say’ - it only takes a minute.
• Sign a petition in Carlisle Street or online (Stay tuned for timings)
• Contact your local councillor directly and ask them to pause the vote on the final sale.
• Follow Better Balaclava on Facebook or Instagram - Coming soon!
• Share this page and help us spread the word.
• Download our postcard and post voicing your concerns. The more voices the better. (coming soon)
• Sign up for regular updates below, we will contact you again when Council confirms the dates for their statutory consultation period. At that point you can have your say via Council’s website.
Thank you - we'll be in touch as soon as we can!
