Another 539 apartments could be built right on the banks of the Yarra River in Abbotsford – an area already crowded with new high rises – under a proposal that the local council and residents are powerless to stop.

Salta Properties has advised government officials of plans to build two huge apartment buildings at the old Metropolitan Fire Brigade site at 627 Victoria Street.

The proposal for 627 Victoria Street, Abbotsford.

This plot lies within a priority development zone administered by the state's Planning Minister, which means Yarra Council cannot stop the development even if it wanted to, and residents cannot comment on the application.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning forwarded Salta Properties' bid to the council on Christmas Eve. Plans include two buildings of 10 and 11 storeys set between 22 metres and 44 metres from the river, nearly 540 dwellings, 508 car spaces, and 788 square metres of shops.