Intaj Khan, a property developer and former Wyndham councillor, is advocating for increased building height limits in West Melbourne—a move that has drawn scrutiny due to his previous development interests in the area. Khan, who ran as a deputy candidate alongside former AFL star Anthony Koutoufides in the Melbourne lord mayoral race, had previously proposed a 23-storey, $75 million apartment tower in West Melbourne through his company, Country Land Australia. Although the project was later withdrawn, it was listed as “on planning” in development records.
Khan argues that raising height limits would facilitate the development of more affordable housing in the city. However, critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially given Khan’s significant financial contributions to the Koutoufides campaign, reportedly around $500,000. His advocacy for zoning changes that could increase land values has led to skepticism about the motivations behind his push for policy changes.
The Melbourne lord mayoral election, which concluded on October 25, featured multiple candidates, including incumbent Nick Reece and challenger Arron Wood. Khan’s involvement in the race, both as a candidate and a developer with vested interests in zoning policies, has sparked discussions about transparency and the influence of private interests in public planning decisions.
Khan’s previous development proposals and his statements about the potential land value increase if zoning changes occur have drawn skepticism. Additionally, Khan has been noted for his luxurious home in Tarneit, nicknamed “Intaj-Mahal.”