Petitioners oppose Bellbrae group accommodation

PETITIONERS are objecting to a $2 million proposal for a group accommodation facility in Bellbrae, saying the project and its usage would be in “direct conflict” with the area’s rural character.

Geelong consultants The Planning Professionals, on behalf of owner Errol Morris, originally lodged the planning permit application for land at 5 Kurzmans Road on June 25.

According to the application, the proposal is for the use and development of the 3.4 hectare site for group accommodation and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone.

The land is just to the east of the Anglesea Road/Great Ocean Road roundabout and has a single dwelling, and The Planning Professionals’ planning report states the intent is “to develop a boutique accommodation complex targeting small families and groups as a premium offering in the marketplace”.

Surf Coast Shire councillors considered a 29-signature petition against the planning permit at their meeting on Tuesday this week.

The petition states the undersigned were expressing their “utmost concern” against what was “more aptly described as large group accommodation” as it would have 11 dwellings with a combined 1,370 sqm of accommodation space, 445 sqm of decking, 600 sqm of car parking and a central area for group activities.

“The facility and obvious intended activity of large groups is in direct conflict with the farming and rural nature of the area being the major reasons that we choose to live in this area,” the petition states.

“Broad concerns relate to the impacts to the current amenity, atmosphere and character of the neighbourhood such as increased and aggravating noise, increased traffic hazards, security and bushfire concerns.

“A further concern is the precedence regarding activity of this nature that is represented to the community in future.”

In their report, The Planning Professionals states the proposed use is permissible within the zone and is appropriate given the specific location of the land along the tourist corridor of the Great Ocean Road.

“The proposal will be a positive addition to the variety of tourist accommodation offerings within the area, attracting more visitors to the region.

“The subject land is centrally located on a highly accessible tourist route between Bells Beach, Torquay, Anglesea and Bellbrae.

“The proposal would have a significant positive economic impact.

“The intensity of the proposal is modest given the land area available. It has appropriately considered off-site amenity impacts and neighbouring dwellings.”

According to the shire’s Governance Rules, councillors officially receives petitions at their next available meeting to be followed by an officers’ report and a final decision within three months.

If the petition relates to a planning permit application, as it does here, the petition will instead be considered as a formal submission as part of the planning permit process.