Country Land Files Second Melbourne Tower Plan

Country Land Australia has lodged plans for a 10-storey residential tower in South Melbourne less than a month after its plans for a tower in West Melbourne were revealed. 

The Urban Developer reported on April 1 that the developer had filed plans for a 24-storey residential tower at 67-73 Jeffcott Street in West Melbourne.

The latest project is for a 488sq m site at 8-12 Sandilands Street. It is within walking distance of St Vincent Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Eastern Reserve, Melbourne Sports Centre, Fawkner Park and Albert Park Lake.

The Kavellaris Urban Design plans filed with the City of Port Phillip detail 26 apartments with a site coverage of 454sq m and 28 car parking spaces across three basement levels. The ground floor will also have 91sq m of cafe space.

The tower comprises four one-bedroom, seven two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom apartments.

The project has an estimated cost of $11 million. 

In October, 2020, the developer put the site up for sale before changing tack to develop it.

Country Land Australia, headed by former Wyndham City councillor Intaj Khan, has operated since 2016, predominantly in Melbourne’s greenfield market.

The developer also has an 83-lot masterplanned residential community, Mount Aliza, at 845-875 Mt Cottrell Road, Thornhill Park currently under construction.

During his time as a Wyndham City councillor, Khan was fined $26,000 in July 2018 after the Local Government Inspectorate found Khan had failed to adequately disclose companies in which he had an office or financial interest during the return period and to submit ordinary returns.

The developer's latest application comes as concerns grow over low new apartment commencements in the Victorian Capital, with fears it will experience severe undersupply within two years.