Almost 200 objections lodged against plans to build multimillion-dollar caravan park on cusp of Torquay

Plans to build a multimillion dollar caravan park that will feature a swimming pool and water slide, gym, bowls and tennis courts on the outskirts of Torquay have been revived, raising the ire of some Surf Coast residents.

Renewed plans to build a multimillion dollar caravan park on the outskirts of Torquay have raised the ire of Surf Coast residents, with almost 200 objections lodged against the proposal.

The Surf Coast Shire will meet on Tuesday to hear submissions responding to the application to build a camping and caravan park on a pair of properties on Ghazeepore Rd and Coombes Rd in Freshwater Creek.

The $8.5 million proposal – which follows the 2015 rejection of a $105m proposal to build a 500-cabin park at the site – features 33 cabins, 15 “glamping/safari” tents, 65 caravan and camping sites, a cinema space, swimming pool and water slide, gym, BMX tracks, bowls and tennis courts and a cafe and general store.

Public exhibition of the plans in December 2019 prompted a deluge of objections, with the Shire receiving 171 submissions against the proposal by February 13, 2020.

All but two of the objections were lodged by individuals, most of whom lived close to the site, Shire documents noted.

“It is estimated that the majority of the objectors are located within a 5km radius of the subject site which includes parts of Torquay, Jan Juc, Freshwater Creek and Bellbrae,” the documents noted.

“The majority of the objections were received from the residents of the Kithbrooke Park Country Club.”

The primary objections related to concerns the development would be “at odds with the green wedge/non-urban break area of Thompson Creek”, an “inappropriate use and development of Farming Zone land” and may devalue nearby properties.

The 2019 planning application noted the need for more tourism accommodation in the region.

“The motivation for the proposal is based on a significant decline in recent years as to the availability of affordable and reasonably priced tourist accommodation on Victoria’s west coast, particularly in Torquay,” application documents said.

“All available land within the defined settlement boundary of Torquay that could potentially accommodate a larger scale tourist facility has either been converted to residential or commercial use or earmarked to accommodate future urban development, reflecting the highest and best use of urban zoned land.”

The Surf Coast Shire will hear submissions to the planning permit application on Tuesday, with the council expected to then make a decision on the application at a February 23 meeting.

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Originally published as Almost 200 objections lodged against plans to build multimillion-dollar caravan park on cusp of Torquay