Bass Coast Council passes permit for private helipad permit in Ventnor

Bass Coast Council has passed applications for a large subdivision in Cowes and a private helipad, close to other houses in Ventnor, as well as committing to building more skateparks.

Council will vote on passing a planning permit for a 52 lot subdivision at 273 to 297 Church St in Cowes. Â

Bass Coast Council this week considered a number of planning permits including a 52-lot subdivision in Cowes and a resident’s request to park his helicopter on his property despite it being close to houses.

See the best of the planning applications.

52-lot subdivision planned for Cowes

Councillors have approved a planning permit for a 52-lot subdivision at 273 to 297 Church St in Cowes.

The land is currently home to a single shed while the west of the site runs along the Bella Vista walkway.

The site currently only has one access point along Church St.

Council will vote on passing a planning permit for a 52 lot subdivision at 273 to 297 Church St in Cowes.

This site had been identified in the Cowes and Silverleaves strategic framework plan as an “infill development opportunity” and was earmarked for “residential development” during the creation of the framework.

The application states there is a need to accommodate development within the town boundaries of Cowes to reduce “urban sprawl”.

Councillor David Rooks echoed this statement and said it was “better” to have the population “going into this area then expanding our town boundaries”.

The planning policy framework “seeks to ensure that a sufficient supply of land is available for residential use and encourages the consolidation of urban areas within settlement boundaries if that development respects existing neighbourhood character”.

However, some residents were unhappy about the plans and submitted objections to council.

Several concerns were raised about the development destroying flora and fauna however council said a qualified ecologist conducted an inspection and “found predominantly exotic grasses”.

“The habitat was considered unsuitable to be used for foraging or breeding,” the report read.

“No unreasonable impacts to fauna are expected as a result of this development.”

The land would be divided into 52 lots.

Another resident worried subdividing the land and building a manhole near the rear of Kate Court would limit access to their clothes line.

However, council said the subdivision works would not “impact on the operation of the clothesline at 12 Kate Court”.

While there are currently no plans submitted to build houses on the land, with the application only for subdivision at this point, the permit does indicate the vision for the area is for it to become a “bespoke” estate.

An “inconsequential” amount of native vegetation could be impacted by the subdivision.

Cr Rooks said they were able to retain more vegetation than the developer initially proposed.

The permit was passed unanimously.

Private helipad proposed for Ventnor

A Ventnor resident will get to have his private helipad but only for a limited time.

A Ventnor resident submitted an application to council to seek permission to use part of his land as a private helicopter landing pad.

The permit was approved but with an added clause that the permit will expire after five years.

The applicant wants to fly a helicopter in no more than six times per year and is proposing he land and take off from his property on Victoria Rd at Ventnor.

One Ventnor resident has submitted an application to council to seek permission to use part of his land as a private helicopter landing pad.

The property, while large, does have other houses neighbouring it and prompting neighbours to object to the plan, raising issues such as noise and dust pollution.

A helicopter would only be allowed to be flown Monday to Friday from 8am to sunset or 8pm, whichever comes first, and on public holidays and weekends 9am to sunset or 8pm, whichever comes first.

There are concerns the noise would impact not only residents but members of the public who use the nearby Berry’s Beach.

However, the council’s response to the submission was an acoustic report had been conducted and it stated the noise would be “less than a truck passing”.

It also noted there would be minimal frequency to the flights as it would be limited to only six a year, with no more than two movements allowed per month.

The applicant wants to fly a helicopter in no more than six times per year and is proposing he land and take off from his property on Victoria Rd Ventnor. Â

Another key concern of objectors was dust pollution for nearby homes.

To this council said “the proposed landing site was at least 90m away from the closest dwelling.”

“It is furthermore not proposed to construct a landing site or to undertake any works. In relation to the dust impacts it is noted that the subject site is primarily covered in open grassland, and the helicopters would be landing and taking off from this grassland. Therefore, no dust issues are anticipated.”.

The pilot will be required to keep a log book recording the date and time of each flight and they must stick to a designated flight path.

Councillor David Rooks said this was a “new concept for Phillip Island” and putting the time limit on the permit acted as a “safeguard”.

“After that time we will be able to get the communities feedback on how it worked,” he said.

The permit was passed unanimously.

Skate strategy review

Bass Coast Shire Council will construct new skate parks at Wonthaggi, Cowes and Newhaven after an extensive review showed strong demand for more facilities.

A review of council’s skate strategy (2019-2028) has been completed and has found the original plan to have one large regional skate facility wasn’t feasible due to the shire’s scattered population.

Instead, the review recommended building multiple skateparks throughout the shire, including two large subregional skateparks in Cowes and Wonthaggi.

The review also recommended the location for the Cowes and Wonthaggi parks.

“Given there are two main clusters of population within Bass Coast (Phillip Island/Surrounds and the Wonthaggi/ Inverloch area), the Skate Park Strategy Review recommends a new model that will create two subregional facilities at each of the Shire’s two main population centres in Wonthaggi and Cowes,” the review reads.

On Wednesday the council voted to adopt the recommendations of the review.

There will also be a smaller skate park constructed in Newhaven, aimed at attracting beginners, and a facility in Kilcunda is already under construction.

The design of a local level skate park in Newhaven and a subregional facility in Wonthaggi are listed as short-term priorities within the review.

The new subregional facility for Wonthaggi will be located at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve on the site of the existing skate park.

The new subregional facility in Cowes will be located at the Council-owned site on the corner of Ventnor and Phillip Island Roads where Council intends to develop a future recreation precinct.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said skate parks were a popular and well-used recreation option for young people in Bass Coast, and Council had received strong feedback to help shape future facilities, with 237 community members responding to the survey.

Survey results showed 72% of respondents said they would use sub-regional skate parks in Cowes and Wonthaggi, and almost 68% said they would use the Newhaven skate facility.

“Bass Coast Shire Council has made ongoing investments in recreation facilities for young people, including new and revamped skate parks over the past five years,” Cr Whelan said.

“Our most recent community engagement shows that the appetite for more skate parks that cater to a variety of skating abilities is stronger than ever.

“The strong survey response has shown us that we have a number of passionate communities that are keen for the development of skate facilities, including more skate parks and amenities that cater for beginners as well as high-level skaters.”