Council votes against large hotel for Torquay

THE Surf Coast Shire has supported council officers’ recommendations and rejected plans to build a five-storey hotel in Torquay during a special meeting held at its chambers on Tuesday May 14.

The proposed project – which received 136 public objections and two submissions of support during the community consultation period – was overturned for a series of reasons relating to its structure and positioning, including exceeding a height of 12 metres in the general residential zone.

Council received the proposal – planned for 2-4 Geelong Road and 48 Bell Street – in September last year from Barnes Capital Pty Ltd.

Mayor Rose Hodge said council resolved to refuse to grant a permit to the developer as the application did not meet the Surf Coast Planning Scheme.

“The proposed development was too bulky, had a height that was excessive, and there were traffic concerns,” Cr Hodge said.

“The proposal did not align with the coastal character that we want to retain.”