Proposed hotel with 29 units divides Mornington Peninsula town
A five storey hotel proposed for Rye will “bring life back” to the town say young families who are urging the local council to support the plan.
South East
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Young families “screaming for change” are calling on the local council to approve a five storey hotel for the Mornington Peninsula.
The proposal, which would see a 29 unit residential hotel built in Rye, has been welcomed by locals who say the project would “bring life back” to the coastal town.
Barunah Holdings Pty Ltd has lodged a planning application with Mornington Peninsula Shire to build the hotel in the heart of Rye.
The plan included a lounge, bar, spa pool, 14 studio units, eight units with two bedrooms and bathrooms, four single bedroom units and three units with three bedrooms.
A basement car park would provide 24 carparking spaces and a rack for six bicycles.
If approved it would become the tallest building between Rosebud and Portsea.
Nicolina Vassiliou said most locals “want and desire change” in Rye.
She said the town had up to 12 empty shops in the main drag and struggled to appeal to both visitors and permanent residents.
“I’m saddened to see so many leave this area for Queensland and North NSW because they have attractions and things to do all year,” Ms Vassiliou said.
“I have worked in the hospitality industry for twenty years and I own my own business running an Airbnb.
“I speak to a lot of tourists and guests regarding activities and venues they can visit and the majority of guests are visiting to spend time in Sorrento as Rye has nothing to offer.
“It’s heart breaking.”
However, objectors say plans for 6 Napier Street, which was sold in February 2021 for $2.3m, were “overkill”.
Rye Community Group Alliance chairwoman Mechelle Cheers said the fresh plan for the site, once used as a funeral home, did not suit Rye’s “coastal town character”.
“The preferred height limit in that area is three storeys and most of the commercial buildings nearby are no more than two storeys,” Ms Cheers said.
“If this gets up it would be the tallest building on the southern peninsula and possibly across the whole shire.
“It would set a dangerous precedent. If we allow five storeys then the next planning application will be for six or even seven.”
Ms Cheers was also worried a carparking waiver included with the planning application for the new hotel would be accepted by the council.
“24 car parks are not enough for this development and guests and their visitors are going to end up taking spots meant for shoppers, RSL members and parents trying to collect their children from kinder,” she said.
A Herald Sun poll revealed that residents were divided about the plan.
Of the 401 respondents, 36 per cent said five storeys was too high for area and a further 21 per cent said it set a dangerous precedent.
The proposal had the support of 28 per cent of respondents who said it was OK for a town centre while 15 per cent said more accommodation was needed in the area.
The Napier Street site borders the existing Rye Hotel’s holiday apartments One Four Nelson, the Moonlight Bay Apartments and is opposite Napier Street Plaza which was recently revamped by the shire at a cost of $6.5m.
Across the road is the Rye RSL, Rye Bowls Club and a kindergarten.
Cr Susan Bissinger “called in” the proposal after she received calls from concerned residents.
She said locals were worried about the height of the development, traffic it would bring to an already busy area and a lack of parking.
Cr Bissinger said the plan would likely be discussed at a private briefing before coming to a public council meeting.