Central Albury 30 residential units, office and retail development approved by council
AN Albury councillor has secured assurances impacts to neighbouring businesses will be minimised in the construction phase before backing a six-storey apartment development in central Albury.
The $17 million project, which includes 30 residential units, office and retail spaces, will be built on the site formerly occupied by a Hungry Jacks restaurant on the corner of Hume and David streets after council voted 5-2 in favour of the development application.
Cr Henk van de Ven confirmed he had been approached by the owners of the neighbouring KFC store, car wash and ARB Albury about unauthorised use of an access road owned by three businesses between KFC and the apartments.
"Should the developer encroach on that private roadway without consent from the three owners of the private roadway they would be fully entitled to prosecute the developer for trespass," Cr van de Ven said.
"Similarly should access to the three properties be compromised by David Street being closed I am absolutely assured by council staff that they would be fully consulted.
"I know what it is like to have access to a business restricted because it happened to my business in 1991."
Cr John Stuchbery was one of those to vote against the development.
"I don't like this building, I don't like the location of it, I don't like the layout of the two lower residential areas," he said.
"When I leave this council I don't want to be partly responsible for approving a building I don't like."
But speaking in favour, Cr David Thurley said it would be the forerunner to many other similar housing options.
"We are going to see more of this in Albury because what we don't want to see in this town, which we are already seeing a bit of, and that is urban sprawl," he said.
Hume Street resident Steve Block spoke before the meeting in the hope a decision could be deferred.
"It is a fantastic idea, it is a great proposal, it is bold, it is adventurous, it is also very expensive, but is also in the wrong location," he said.
"It should enhance this neighbourhood, but it doesn't."
Developer Travis Barker attended the meeting.
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