Retirement village application approved after major changes

THE Surf Coast Shire has approved a plan to develop a major retirement village in Torquay.

At their meeting earlier tonight (Tuesday, August 22), a majority of councillors voted to approve the planning application on land neighbouring and next to Cypress Lane.

The latest application, which was most recently amended by its proponents on February 1, will construct 196 independent living units comprising 120 detached single storey independent living units and three apartment buildings comprising 16 one-bedroom apartments and 60 two-bedroom apartments.

There wll be 355 car parking spaces are provided across the site, with single and double garages provided for each independent living unit (for a total of 235 spaces).

A U-shaped clubhouse is centrally located and has two-storey and three-storey components, reducing impact from the south.

Within the basement of the clubhouse apartment building, 58 car spaces are provided and 18 spaces are provided to each of the Deep Creek apartment buildings. A further 26 car parking spaces have been provided across the site for visitors and staff.

The land is zoned Low Density Residential Zone, and the officers’ report to councillors notes there are a range of uses permissible in this zone, including retirement villages.

Cr Gary Allen said the planning permit came with a long list of conditions.

“Considering the provisions of our planning scheme, and those of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, I can see no defendable grounds for refusal of this permit.”

Cr Libby Stapleton said the number of people in Torquay aged 65 and over was expected to double in the next 15 years, so facilities such as this development were needed.

“So are we better off approving 196 houses on individual lots, which cover more land, or consolidating 196 units into one large retirement village? That’s just a question for people to think about.”

The vote to pass the motion tied at four-four (Cr Kate Gazzard is on leave) and shire mayor Liz Pattison used her casting vote to approve the application after she said she had ensured the application would have no adverse impact on Deep Creek.

“I feel that it is important that as a leader in this community, I make evidence-based decisions that meet the needs of my community,” Cr Pattison said.

Jedi Building Group managing director Nick Abbott welcomed the council’s decision.

“We reduced the building to double-storey only apartments and resident recreation facilities on the roof reduced from an initial four-storey design,” he said.

“It’s a win for the region with an aging population finding it hard to find suitable accommodation where they live.

“With other villages are sold out in the region, this style of accommodation is a much-needed affordable living outcome for residents.”

He said the proponents had been positive in its response to the community over the past two years, and they had listened to community objections and made relevant changes to ensure the retirement village had a low impact on amenity.