Mount Martha site back on market after five year fight to build $95m village
An international aged care giant has given up on a plan to build a Mornington Peninsula retirement resort. Here’s why.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A bid to build a $95 million retirement village on the Mornington Peninsula has been abandoned after a five year battle to break soil.
Ryman Healthcare has decided to walk from its proposed Mount Martha village, saying the project was no longer viable and it would now put the 1.9ha Bentons Road site on the market.
The New Zealand-owned company proposed a three-storey building with basement, indoor pool, hair and beauty salons, a bowling green, and a movie theatre at the Bentons Road site.
The development was to include 70 apartments, 37 assisted living suites and 116 aged care rooms.
When first announced the new village was expected to free up local houses for sale, create long-term skilled jobs and inject about $10 million a year into the local economy.
However, Mornington Peninsula Shire rejected the plan on the grounds that it was “excessive” and detracted from the neighbourhood’s character and the decision was upheld by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in December, 2020.
Victorian Sales and Community Relations Manager Debra Richardson said the decision to walk away from the plan was “disappointing” for the company.
“We purchased the property almost five years ago and were incredibly excited at the prospect of providing the Mount Martha community with a world-class retirement living and aged care facility,” she said.
“Unfortunately, local decision makers have not shared that excitement.
“While the demand for high-quality aged care in the area is acute and growing, the planning pathway towards making the village a reality has become increasingly fraught and uncertain, and the project is no longer viable.”
The plan was the second proposal for 180 Bentons Road.
Prior to Ryman buying the property in 2018 it was slated for the development of 47 one and two storey residential dwellings.
Meanwhile, Ryman Healthcare remains locked in a battle to build a larger retirement resort in Mt Eliza.
The Moondah Estate site, complete with Moondah mansion, was sold to Ryman by Melbourne University in 2016 for close to $40 million.
In August 2021, Ryman lodged a permit application to build 104 independent living apartments, 35 assisted living suites and 82 aged care beds at 60-70 Kunyung Road.
The proposal was a scaled-back version of Ryman’s original vision for the 8.9ha site that included 181 apartments for independent living, 48 assisted living suites and 82 aged care beds.
Ryman went back to the drawing board after VCAT refused to overturn the shire’s July 2020 rejection of the project.
The council has again rejected the new plan and the decision will be considered by the tribunal later this year.
Despite the difficulties on the Mornington Peninsula the company is forging ahead with significant investment across Melbourne.
There are eight projects underway including in Essendon, Mulgrave and Ringwood East.
In May, Ryman Healthcare announced plans to build a $350m mega complex in Coburg North.
It aims to turn a 2.5ha block on Gaffney St into a retirement home for more than 500 people.