Burwood developer keeps $8m contribution as three-site deal allows staged payments

A developer will retain an $8 million contribution for three Burwood sites while paying it in stages under an amended voluntary planning agreement approved by Burwood Council. The agreement covers 17 George Street, 21 George Street and 28-34 Victoria Street.

The contribution is earmarked for open space, community facilities, public infrastructure or other public purposes determined by Council. The approved development adds four to five storeys to each building and 29 additional dwellings to a mixed-use building under construction.

The variation requested in July does not alter the approved development or reduce the total contribution. It allows staged payments alongside the staged release of land titles.

A draft deed of variation was publicly exhibited from 19 August to 16 September and received one submission. It raised concerns about density, traffic, infrastructure, local character, transparency and public benefit.

Council’s report said those matters had been addressed through the development assessment process and that the variation, which relates to administrative and payment arrangements, remained in the public interest.

Councillors voted 5-0 to delegate authority to General Manager Brooke Endycott to finalise and sign the amended voluntary planning agreement, make necessary changes to the documents and require payment under the updated schedule. Cr Pascale Esber, Cr David Hull, Cr Sukirti Bhatta, Cr De Yi Wu-Coshott and Cr Alex Yang voted for the resolution.

Mayor John Faker left the chair and chamber for the item after declaring a less than significant non-pecuniary interest. A relative was employed by a company that might have a commercial arrangement to supply energy to the building when completed. Cr Esber chaired the item, and Mayor Faker returned after the vote.

The amended agreement allows the General Manager to sign the VPA and associated documents under Council’s power of attorney. The developer’s $8 million contribution remains payable under the updated schedule.