A lack of public transport is threatening the success of a cutting-edge residential development in Melbourne’s inner city, according to a former lord mayor.

Plans to convert the former Department of Defence explosives site in Maribyrnong to a new suburb were given the green light by premier John Brumby last month.

However, former lord mayor Kevin Chamberlin claims that, without a direct rail link to the city, the development could fall short.

“If there is no public transport into the city, good developments like this will falter,” he said.

He claims the dual railway line to Flemington Racecourse and Royal Melbourne Showgrounds is being wasted and should be extended three kilometres to the new Maribyrnong development.

“The rail link would improve the value of the government-owned housing site and make the development more profitable,” he said.

Current Maribyrnong Mayor Michael Clarke agrees the transport system may need “tweaking”, but claims there is infrastructure in place to support the development.

“There are going to be transport challenges that will pose problems, but there are opportunities to develop tramlines that are currently at the front door of the development,” he told Architecture & Design.

The development will provide housing for up to 6,000 people and address issues with affordable housing. Any transport issues are “just part of the planning process”, Clarke said.

The Maribyrnong development will be an “artsy, edgy development” comprise residential buildings and small businesses, shopping strips and community centres, Clarke said. It will also provide much-needed housing in Melbourne.

Developer VicUrban spokeswoman, Jane Calvert, told Architecture & Design the project will make use of vacant land and get underway as soon as contamination issues at the old explosives site are resolved.

“Remediation work is expected to take two-to-three years, with housing work to kick off by 2012,” she said.

The complete urban renewal project is expected to take 10 to 15 years to reach completion.