VCAT rules in favour of Bluff Road development

A FORESHORE redevelopment is dividing St Leonards residents after gaining approval from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Developer AGD Monea Holdings was granted the planning permit for a three-storey development at 1-2 Bluff Road following last month’s hearing.

The approved $4.5 million multi-use development includes the construction of five commercial spaces featured on the ground floor and 15 apartments overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

Beginning on June 16, the hearing followed the City of Greater Geelong’s disapproval of the submitted plans stating the proposal would be “incompatible with the town’s identity and role”.

VCAT member Michael Nelthorpe ruled in favour of the proposal, finding “the council’s argument is too heavily weighted towards the existing situation and has little regard for the future for St Leonards”.

“The role, identity and scale of St Leonards is not solely defined by its current size and low scale development,” he said.

“The planning provisions and policies anticipate a moderate degree of change.

“I consider that a modern, mixed use building containing shops and apartments is within the range of this moderate degree of change.”

Mr Nelthorpe further disagreed with council’s submissions suggesting the development would limit the views along Murradoc Road to and from the pier.

“The ground and first floor setbacks align with the facades of existing commercial buildings and built form on the second floor is setback six metres from the property boundary,” he said.

“In effect, the view line is maintained.”

Despite the site currently being used as a gravel carpark, community members have shared their mixed views on the community Facebook page.

One Facebook user commented “what’s the point in having a government and council plan for the Bellarine for sympathetic coastal design when inappropriate designs keep getting approved?”, while another said “growth is inevitable”.

Once constructed, the site will be located opposite of the St Leonards Hotel on the main shopping precinct and a short distance away from the pier and lake reserve.