Surf Coast Shire councillors to decide on revised plans for Cypress Lane development

The Surf Coast Shire has voted on amended plans for a controversial development in north Torquay.

Residents gathered in Cypress Lane in September 2023 against a multimillion-dollar development. Picture: Mark Wilson

Surf Coast councillors have supported amended plans for a controversial development, ahead of a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing.

At a special meeting on Tuesday, the council voted in favour, five to four, to support the plans for a new retirement village slated for Cypress Lane in Torquay north.

Revised plans were submitted in March for 191 independent living units, reduced from 196 units initially proposed, which includes 104 single-storey units, 13 double-storey units and three apartment buildings with 16 one-bedroom apartments and 58 two-bedroom apartments.

Mayor Liz Pattison said the VCAT appeal was lodged by nine joint applicants and objectors.

The five-day hearing is scheduled to start April 29.

Surf Coast mayor Liz Pattison. Picture: Alison Wynd

Councillor Gary Allen moved the motion and said a key consideration was ensuring the council was present at the VCAT hearing.

Addressing community concerns regarding high density, he said as a growth area it was difficult to control.

“Retirement villages typically have a denser footprint than other residential developments,” he said.

“The proposal is, in my view, consistent with current developments along the western side of the Surf Coast Highway.”

The initial development proposal relied on the council selling Cypress Lane and a portion of nearby public land, and discontinuing the road.

However, the council did not approve the sale and amendments were made to the plan.

Councillor Libby Stapleton said the decision on Tuesday was not about arguing the merits of the development to determine a position ahead of the VCAT hearing.

“It would not make sense to reject the revised plans, the council has essentially created the need for the plans to be amended,” she said.

Ms Stapleton said council officers found the plan satisfied planning requirements including balancing development, social and environmental considerations.

“The retirement village will contribute to housing diversity in Torquay and provide greater housing choice to residents,” she said.

Councillor Heather Wellington said she was surprised by the notion that not supporting the plan would restrict the council’s capacity to contribute at the VCAT hearing.

“I haven’t looked at the specific arguments around that but it seems extraordinary to be put in the position to say we will support this or we get no say at all,” she said.

Ms Wellington said it was simplistic to say the retirement village would impact housing supply because locals would move in.

“I have no idea how many people from our local community would move into these apartments or units and I don’t think any of us have any idea of that,” she said.

Councillor Adrian Schonfelder said he had met with residents and business owners about the development.

“They are not against development, they just feel this area is highly inappropriate as it is deemed low density,” he said.

EARLIER: CYPRESS LANE PLANS BACK ON AGENDA

A controversial plan to turn a block of land in Torquay’s north into a retirement village is back before the Surf Coast Shire this week.

Councillors will decide whether to support amended plans for the development on Coombes Rd, which have been in limbo since 2017, at a meeting on Tuesday before the matter goes before a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing later this month.

The project has been met with community outrage in recent years, with more than 100 protesters rallying in April last year against the plans.

Residents’ main concerns include overdevelopment in the Torquay area and the environmental impact to local vegetation and wildlife.

The proposal has received 111 objections and only two letters of support, according to council documents.

Some Surf Coast residents are against the plans. Picture: Mark Wilson

Revised plans were submitted on March 5 for 191 independent living units, reduced from 196 units initially proposed, which includes 104 single-storey units, 13 double-storey units and three apartment buildings with 16 one-bedroom apartments and 58 two-bedroom apartments.

The plans also include a lawn bowls pitch, five outdoor pavilions and a total of 334 carparking spaces across the site.

Council documents state the retirement village will “contribute to housing diversity within the municipality ” and create “more affordable housing options”.

Councillors blocked a bid to sell Cypress Lane and a portion of nearby public land, known as Reserve No. 3, in October last year.

“There has been high community interest about the development and also the land sale process,” councillor Rose Hodge said at the time, who has previously voted against the retirement village development.

“The decision to not approve the … sale of land was based on a desire to preserve public open space, acknowledging significant community concerns.”

Objectors lodged an appeal with the VCAT in September last year.

A meeting between the parties was held in February but an agreement was not reached.

A VCAT hearing is set to begin on April 29 and residents are fundraising to help cover the cost of legal fees.

Originally published as Surf Coast Shire councillors to decide on revised plans for Cypress Lane development