Real estate developer Liebke + Co intends to turn a site on the corner of Elouera Street and Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, into “a dynamic and vibrant multi-use development incorporating both retail and residential spaces”.

But a community group, the Braddon Collective, objects to the proposed development, which it claims is unfit for the site, and has urged the ACT Government to reject Liebke + Co’s development application as non-compliant.

“The Government and the community [will be] lumbered with a poorly designed building just so a developer and well-heeled investors can make a quick buck,” spokeswoman Susan Davidson said.

Liebke + Co purchased the 2,090 square metre block, formerly the site of the Elouera Street Flats, last year. According to their development application, they plan to demolish the existing building and structures, and construct AHLEI, a nine-storey mixed use commercial and residential development, consisting of 105 apartments and four commercial units, with three levels of basement car parking.

“The 90 Northbourne project is poised to elevate inner city Canberra living with its superb location, sophisticated design and unparalleled attention to detail,” Liebke + Co’s website states.

“The development will cater to the needs of astute buyers looking for modern, convenient and spacious apartments in a central location. We have identified a current and upcoming lack of supply for high-income, well capitalised professionals looking to make a second or third property purchase.”

However, in the Collective’s opinion, the DA “is focused on maximising profit for the developer by squeezing too many apartments into an apartment building that is too large for the site, is not well-designed, not of an acceptable standard, and significantly fails a number of planning rules and regulations”.

The Collective believes the development will reduce amenity for people in 38 apartments that will face the new development, and result in poor amenity for 26 apartments in the new development. In their view, it is too close to the existing neighbouring apartment block, and does not comply with setback requirements. Residents in both the new and existing apartment blocks will have insufficient access to sunlight, reduced energy efficiency, and reduced natural ventilation.

A proposed driveway on Elouera Street is “dangerously” close to the busy Elouera / Mort Street roundabout, while a proposal that parking could be accommodated on adjacent busy streets is “ludicrous”, the Collective continues. Removalist and delivery trucks, for instance, would need to be accommodated within the development.

The development application (DA 202341871) for Block 1 Section 19, 90 Northbourne Avenue, is open for public representations until Friday 25 August.

“The ACT planning and land authority encourages the community to review the proposal on the ACT Planning website and have their say on the project via the public notification process,” a government spokesperson said. “Representations received during the public notification timeframe will be considered by the planning and land authority prior to making a decision.”

Canberra Daily contacted Liebke + Co for comment on Monday. No reply has been received.