Port cellar door plans uncorked

A WINE label is seeking planning approval to open a cellar door at an existing Portarlington spa business.

Chanceux has lodged plans to open a new retail centre at the site of Bellarine Spa and Wellness Retreat at 373-390 Tower Road, Portarlington in a move it says will support the area’s burgeoning tourism sector.

The wine is already produced from land surrounding the retreat, with planning documents indicating the use required further support for its sustainability to maintain crops and improve their yield, plus general farm work and maintenance of vineyards.

Proponents argue the project would ensure the sustainability of the existing business with flow-on effects that complemented other tourism attractions in the north Bellarine.

“Newer emerging tourism markets are becoming more targeted with higher quality options for experiences and accommodation, delivering more visitors to the area. Portarlington also boosts transport links to the city of Melbourne via passenger ferry, offering more work, activity and transportation options in addition to car and bus,” planning documents stated.

“The proposal seeks to deliver support of the existing site agriculture operations in proposing a winery to assist with the produce sales (wine) through a cellar door and marketing of that site produce.

“Such a proposal has flow on effects throughout the community in relation to its tourism industry, local employment opportunities and maintaining agriculture land use into the future with a sustainable ongoing business plan for the site.”

The winery would use existing buildings on the site and result in minimal new construction.

The subject land is presently zoned for farming, with the application indicating the proposed winery would support productive agricultural use.

The application says the proposal would retain existing jobs at the site while creating more through creation of the new business.

The City of Greater Geelong is advertising the plans until Thursday, May 11.