A 30-STOREY apartment complex slated to stand almost twice the preferred height in Moonee Ponds is being considered by an advisory committee.

Moonee Valley councillors on Tuesday maintained their opposition to the proposal, which forms the second stage of development at 40 Hall St, Moonee Ponds.

The Former Moonee Ponds Market Site Advisory Committee appointed by Planning Minister Richard Wynne is considering the application today and tomorrow.

Reserve days have been scheduled for March 9 and 10.

Councillors asked Mr Wynne to call in the application late last year after Caydon Property Group lodged an appeal at VCAT, fearing a repeat of first-stage plans that were given the green light on by the tribunal.

Mr Wynne announced in December that the Moonee Ponds activity centre would serve as a trial on mandatory height controls.

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Councillors unanimously agreed the proposal, which has been scaled back from 34 to 30 storeys of almost 600 apartments, was still inappropriate and inconsistent with planning scheme amendment C100 and its preferred height of 16 storeys.

Cr Nicole Marshall said it exceeded controls significantly.

“The view came to be that we could not just let this go to VCAT,” she said.

“This preferred height system just makes it very uncertain for the community, and makes it uncertain for developers.

“There is absolutely no point us looking at planning scheme amendments if we will not uphold the rules when it comes to the crunch.”

Cr Marshall still had concerns around parking and housing diversity, with one and two-bedroom apartments making up more than 90 per cent of the proposed mix.

Caydon chief operating officer Jarrod Stratton looked forward to presenting revised plans, which highlighted “many community benefits” such as open space, wider footpaths and a public plaza.

The advisory committee, comprising members Nick Wimbush and Ray Tonkin, will provide advice to Mr Wynne on whether a permit should be issued.