One month ago, Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle declared that there were just a handful of "sacrosanct" rules in the city's planning scheme.



"One is not overshadowing the Yarra," he said.

Planned park at Collins Street.

But on Tuesday night councillors did what they had previously considered so unthinkable – ignoring their own planners' advice and throwing their support behind a 300-metre high Collins Street building. Its shadow will touch that once-untouchable south bank of the Yarra.

What prompted the change of heart ? A deal was made to secure a new park.