Developments
Forum theatre hotel plan axed
Melbourne City Council has overturned developer David Marriner’s plans to build a 32-level hotel beside the badly run-down Forum Theatre which would have also been restored.
Last September, the Marriner Group was granted a permit by former planning minister Matthew Guy but the change of government in Victoria meant that Richard Wynne became planning minister. Last week Melbourne City Council succeeded in having Mr Guy’s approval quashed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Mr Marriner wanted to build a high-rise hotel cantilevering out over the rear of The Forum.
VCAT deputy president Helen Gibson said Mr Guy had “lacked the power to make this decision”. It should have been made by the city council, she ruled.
