Phillip restaurant plan fails tribunal again, court challenge looms
A five-year fight over a proposed 62-apartment hotel and restaurant in Phillip heads back to court after a tribunal again rejected it.
A Canberra developer is taking another Supreme Court challenge after the ACT tribunal dismissed his mixed-use proposal for Phillip for the second time. Peter Micalos and Mena Ibrahim have been trying to build a hotel with 62 serviced apartments, a pub, restaurant, and espresso bar at 9 Botany Street since 2021.
The Planning Authority refused the project in June 2024 and again in November 2024. The tribunal rejected it in March 2025 after a one-day hearing.
A Supreme Court judge found the tribunal made procedural errors and ordered a rehearing. But the tribunal has again sided with the Planning Authority.
Micalos said the latest decision contained significant errors. IP Property intends to lodge another appeal.
- 62
- Serviced apartments proposed
- 9 Botany Street, Phillip
- Site address
- 2021
- Development start
- Peter Micalos and Mena Ibrahim
- Developers
Why it mattersThe repeated legal battles reveal deep disagreements over whether the site should house commercial services or residential development, a tension playing out across Canberra's older districts.
AustraliaCanberrans in south Canberra are watching to see if the precinct will be revitalised with new mixed-use buildings or remain dominated by used car yards and vacant services.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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