Surf Coast Shire decides on permits for Chocolaterie’s alcohol bid, Inverleigh sheep dairy, Freshwater Creek caravan park

A popular chocolate factory has learnt whether its liquor licence bid will be approved in the face of claims the proposal was not “family-friendly” and would increase car accidents.

A chocolate factory on the Great Ocean Road will soon sell alcohol from its premises, despite some residents complaining the move would not be “family-friendly”.

The Surf Coast Shire voted 7-1 to approve a liquor licence for the venue at its meeting on Tuesday.

The Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie’s application to council for a permit to allow for the sale and consumption of liquor prompted 12 objections from the community.

The objections related to concerns around its proposed hours being similar to a pubs, having liquor at the venue would not be “family-friendly”, and increased traffic issues and accidents.

Planning permit application documents lodged with council noted the applicants hoped the sale of alcohol from the popular venue would help keep the business afloat following COVID-19.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie has gained a liquor licence.

“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a significant downturn in visitors to GORCI which has resulted in economic loss,” the application read.

“By serving alcohol the sale return per visitor maybe increased, thus helping long term viability of the GORCI.”

An original condition on the 2015 permit for the venue stated that they site must not be used for the sale or consumption of liquor.

Speaking at the meeting Cr Gary Allen said the business was “extremely well run” and would be a “very controlled and pleasant setting” for the consumption of alcohol.

“I think as a country we have to mature our attitudes towards alcohol consumption,” Cr Allen said.

NEXT STEP IN POOL BID

The Surf Coast Shire Council will apply for funds from the State Government in a bid to help cover a $9 million funding shortfall for a proposed $39 million Torquay aquatic centre.

Council resolved on Tuesday to submit the $4 million funding application and to allocate its owns funds – $5.25 million – towards the project if the grant application was successful.

The centre is set to feature a 50 metre pool, warm water program pool, gym, group fitness rooms and allied health rooms.

The Federal Government has committed $20 million, and the Victorian Government $10 million towards the project.

Council has previously committed to providing the land for the facility and to pay the annual running costs, estimated at $433,000.

Successful applicants for the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund will be determined in April.

SHEEP FARM, VAN PARK KNOCKED BACK

Meanwhile, the council refused plans for two large developments in the region including a 14-000 sheep dairy in Inverleigh and a multimillion dollar caravan park on the outskirts of Torquay.

Councillors voted 6-2 in favour of refusing a permit for the sheep dairy following a 45-minute discussion on Tuesday night.

The $9 million project, which attracted 96 objections from the community, was set to farm around 14,000 sheep and lambs, with many of its sheep milk products sold to Asia.

Concerns for the proposal included its impacts on the environment and risk to human health, including the potential for disease transmission.

Plans for a sheep farm at Inverleigh have been rejected. Photo: DANNIKA BONSER

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Adrian Schonfelder proposed that council defer a decision on the application until a council meeting next month, but his motion was only supported by Cr Gary Allen.

Cr Schonfelder argued that more time was needed to further investigate the issues surrounding the proposal, despite the application first being lodged with council in 2019.

“It’s very important for us with COVID and post-COVID to support agriculture and support jobs in the agriculture sector,” he said.

But Cr Heather Wellington said there was ample information in the officers report to make a decision.

“If we haven’t been able to sort out in two years what the issues are around Q-Fever, I don’t think another month to be fair is really going to help us,” Cr Wellington said.

“The community is entitled to a decision, the applicant is entitled to a decision, if we defer this motion we open the gate for the applicant to go to VCAT now.

“We need to make a decision, that’s our job, that’s what we’re voted in by the community to do.”

A proposal to build a caravan park on two properties in Freshwater Creek also failed to gain the support from councillors.

The $8.5 million proposal – which follows the 2015 rejection of a $105m proposal to build a 500-cabin park at the site – was set to feature 42 cabins, six “glamping” tents, 61 caravan and camping sites, a playground, cinema space, swimming pool, gym, BMX tracks, bowls and tennis courts and a cafe and general store.

A caravan park proposal was also refused.

Councillors voted 8-1 in favour of refusing to grant a permit for the facility, with Cr Schonfelder the only one to vote against.

Council received 173 objections against the proposal with concerns including its potential impact on the non-urban break area of Thompson Creek.

Cr Mike Bodsworth said while there was a need for affordable accommodation in the region,

the importance of protecting the surrounding green break made it “difficult” to approve the project.

The site is now set to be used to store caravans and boats after council unanimously voted to support a separate application for the facility at the location.

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Originally published as Surf Coast Shire decides on permits for Chocolaterie’s alcohol bid, Inverleigh sheep dairy, Freshwater Creek caravan park