Council waits on more detail before determining resort position

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’s 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Shire Mayor Joe McCracken said the shire welcomed the hearing’s outcome, as it was in line with the shire’s request for more information in relation to the proposed villas, a revised geotechnical assessment and information on how flooding will affect site access.

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.

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.

“The 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.

“Council will have appropriate time to consider the fresh information and reach an informed position on the proposal over the coming months.”