_LCI ACADEMY OF DESIGN

Collie worked with LCI Education [Australia] Pty Ltd, Gray Puksand Architects and Case Mealin & Associates Pty Ltd, to create a new Academy of Design campus in Oxford Street Collingwood. Located a short walk from the Smith Street Activity Centre, the site enjoys excellent access to services and facilities including public transport, which was critical in justifying a reduction in the car parking requirements of the Scheme. The site has significant heritage value and forms part of the former Foy and Gibson complex of warehouses that are located between Cambridge Street, Oxford Street, Stanley Street and Peel Street in Collingwood. The site is affected by a Heritage Overlay and is also listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The Collie role included:

• providing town planning advice regarding the planning controls that applied to the site and the likelihood of obtaining approval for development regarding additional floors;
• preparation and lodgement of two separate planning permit applications relating to the development and use of the site – the first application sought to change the use of the building from office to education centre [tertiary institution] and a reduction in car parking requirements, while the second sought planning permission for external buildings and works and coincided with a submission to Heritage Victoria;
  
  liaison with Yarra City Council throughout the assessment of the application to ensure that both planning permits were obtained as quickly as possible to enable the Academy of Design to commence operation in its new location.