THE proponents of a planned resort for Apollo Bay must include more detail if it is to go ahead, and the Colac Otway Shire has put off determining the council\u2019s position as a result.<\/p>\n
The planning application for stage 1 of the $70 million resort on Barham River Road showed it would have 180 hotel rooms, 82 villas, a bar, an all-day dining restaurant, a main restaurant, retail tenancies, an observatory, a wellness centre and a 25-metre swimming pool, and accommodation for 30 staff.<\/p>\n
However, a directions hearing held on March 14 by the independent planning panel considering the application requested more information from the developers on a number of issues.<\/p>\n
At the hearing, the developers stressed their application did not include stage 2 of the resort, which would add another 200 hotel rooms and another 140 villas.<\/p>\n
The shire was to hold a special council meeting on March 21 to determine its position, but postponed this meeting following the directions hearing and will set a new date after reviewing the revised documentation provided to the panel.<\/p>\n
Shire Mayor Joe McCracken said the shire welcomed the hearing\u2019s outcome, as it was in line with the shire\u2019s request for more information in relation to the proposed villas, a revised geotechnical assessment and information on how flooding will affect site access.<\/p>\n
He said the clarification that only stage 1 was to be considered may help allay community concerns that the panel could have also been asked to consider stage 2.<\/p>\n
He said it was a positive that those wanting to make a submission would have an opportunity to view the extra detail and use this to inform their presentations to the panel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe panel supports a process for those making submissions, and their technical experts, to access the site prior to the panel hearing, to assist their hearing presentation preparation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil will have appropriate time to consider the fresh information and reach an informed position on the proposal over the coming months.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE proponents of a planned resort for Apollo Bay must include more detail if it is to go ahead, and the Colac Otway Shire has put off determining the council\u2019s position as a result. The planning application for stage 1 of the $70 million resort on Barham River Road showed it would have 180 hotel […]<\/p>\n