NewQuay approval

Planning Minister Matthew Guy has approved two more of the residential buildings featured in MAB’s NewQuay Central masterplan, leaving only one building yet to be approved.

The 19-storey silver tower and 23-storey bronze tower will be built on the eastern side of what is currently the NewQuay Piazza and will be known as NewQuay Promenade.

Mr Guy said the buildings would start to complete the western end of NewQuay and would create more community in the area.

He also said the $100 million investment showed confidence in Docklands.

MAB’s NewQuay central masterplan was met with criticism from residents when it was released in 2011, with complaints focusing on building height, loss of view and loss of open space.

Mr Guy responded to this criticism by saying that Docklands was Melbourne’s high-density suburb.

He said the towers abided by the structure plan and their heights were not overbearing.

The final tower awaiting approval is a 15-storey building, to be built at the front of the piazza.

Mr Guy said the plan for this tower was yet to come before him for approval

In January, Mr Guy approved a 43-storey tower and a 16-storey tower, which were included in MAB’s NewQuay Central masterplan and were to be built on the western side of the piazza.

MAB has since decided to on-sell this section of land.