Two existing houses and a graphic design business in Kiewa Street will be demolished and make way for a mix of one and two storey townhouses, shop top units and commercial premises if plans lodged with Albury Council are approved.

An internal roadway will also be created and an existing toilet near Lambert Park will also be demolished and re-built.

The proposed development will adjoin existing commercial and industrial businesses on Hume and Townsend streets.

On the opposite side of Kiewa Street, St Vincent’s de Paul has approval to build a $8.8 million affordable housing development 

Joss Construction has been appointed builder of the project which includes the demolition of men’s crisis centre, Quamby House.

The plan submitted by Habitat Planning on behalf of development group, Five Developments, is expected to be presented to Albury Council for approval after its planning department was stripped of its delegated powers this week.

But the move agreed to 7-2 by council could be the subject of a rescission motion being proposed by the two councillors who opposed the surprise notice of motion, Graham Docksey and Alice Glachan.

Cr Docksey and Cr Glachan are hoping to convince another councillor to be the third required signatory for any rescission motion to be considered by council.

“This is the first time in my six years on council I am prepared to speak against a council decision,” Cr Docksey said.

“It has raised concerns from a whole range of people who are dealing with council and the potential lengthening of the DA approval time.

“We’ve got inexperienced councillors now dealing with planning decisions when we pay good staff who are qualified to do this work.”

Cr Docksey hoped the rescission motion could be tabled at next month’s council meeting.