A self-storage facility is now proposed for the long-empty Waterworks Road site in The Gap, a patch of land that has seen years of development plans and is still known locally for its large excavated pit.
The Proposal
A notice shared with the community says Pradella Property has lodged Application No. A007025195 for the site opposite Ashgrove Golf Club. The plan is for a modern self-storage facility. The notice gives the address as 846 Waterworks Road, though council records list the land at 842 Waterworks Road. It also says the Development Services Team advised that the application was in its public notification period at the time.
A Site With a Long Story
The land has a past that most long-term locals know well. Developer Renzo Zanuttini bought it in 1958, and it later became widely known as Renzo’s Place. Over the years, it has been the subject of several plans. A six-level unit project was shelved in 2017. A 2023 proposal for childcare, health services, apartments and retirement units was later reported as approved. Receivers then sold the site in July 2025.
Residents have not forgotten any of it. One commenter said a wide range of ideas had come and gone, and hoped this one would get further than a hole in the ground. Another said a storage facility would still beat the pit. Will this plan finally stick? At least one resident wasn’t sure. Some also welcomed the chance to tidy up an eyesore, and one described the drop as potentially unsafe.
What Locals Had Hoped For
For many, storage was not the dream. Several commenters said they would have liked to see homes on the site, pointing to the nearby public transport, shops and schools. One said apartments would suit a time when housing is such a talking point. Others pictured cafés, restaurants and small local businesses at street level with homes above. A brewery got a mention. So did a library and community centre.
Behind the wish list sits a simple idea: people want somewhere to gather. One resident said The Gap already has plenty of everyday retail but few places to relax or catch up with neighbours. They felt a large storage complex is something most people would rarely use. Another commenter worried the suburb could slowly shift toward a commercial or industrial feel.
Access and Zoning Questions
Then came the practical questions. Does the property have rear access? One commenter thought traffic from a storage facility would likely be light, so an entrance off Waterworks Road might be fine. They added that a back street could make more sense, depending on what neighbours think. The same person questioned how the site’s zoning fits with a commercial-style use.
Calls for a Community Say
Several residents tagged Councillor Steven Toomey, asking whether storage is the best long-term use for the land. One asked for a formal meeting in The Gap on a weekend, so people can look at the plans and understand the impacts before any decision is made. Another wanted to know which options Pradella Property considered before settling on this one.
One commenter also pointed out that the site sits in The Gap, not Ashgrove, despite the name of the golf club across the road.
What Happens Next
The notice does not list a closing date for public notification, and its status may have changed since it was shared. Anyone who wants to comment should check the council’s online application page for current details and deadlines.
Published Date 30-September-2026
