VCAT approves permit for $29m Torquay development featuring cinema, KFC and backpackers

Plans to build a controversial $29 million development in Torquay – featuring a KFC, backpacker hotel and cinema – have been approved by the state’s planning tribunal.

Plans to build a controversial $29 million development in Torquay – featuring a KFC, backpackers hotel and cinema – have been approved by the state’s planning tribunal.

In a verdict on Friday, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal granted a permit for the development at 85 Geelong Road which is set to include a three-storey backpackers hotel and bar, childcare centre and cinema.

Fast food stores including KFC, Zambero and Bean Squeeze are also proposed for the site along with an electrical vehicle charging facility, children’s play centre, medical centre and service station.

The proposed $29 million development in Torquay.

The approval comes following a five-day VCAT hearing in December prompted by applicant Baines Torquay after the Surf Coast Shire Council failed to determine a position on the application within a required 60-day period.

Despite the matter already headed for VCAT, council opposed the proposal in September relying on various grounds including the developments impact on traffic flow and road safety.

Following council’s decision to oppose the granting of a permit, there were two sessions of

VCAT lead mediation.

The Surf Coast Shire’s general manager environment and development Ransce Salan said the

the permit applicant amended the proposal to respond to council’s grounds and the concerns of the other parties as a result.

“These changes were sufficient in addressing most of council’s grounds and saw the other

parties withdraw from the proceeding,” Mr Salan said.

“The remaining matter in contention was the potential traffic impacts on Grossmans Road, and

the need for mitigating works at the intersection of Surf Coast Highway.”

Mr Salan said the VCAT decision supports council’s position on the traffic and roads issue.

A planning permit was first sought for the site in 2018, but Baines Torquay was forced to submit revised plans in April 2020 after failing to show the intentions for the whole site.

The new plans included the addition of the three-storey backpackers hotel with a bar for “tourists on a budget,” along with a children’s play centre, attracting concern from an abutting retirement village.

Lions Village Torquay was furious that the 56-bed “party central” backpackers would be within metres from its residents, ruining the retirement community’s peaceful environment.

Residents at Torquay Lions Village were left feeling furious about the proposed 85 Geelong Rd development following the addition of the backpackers hotel. Picture: Alison Wynd

Council received a total of 56 objections against the amended application, with primary concerns including noise, traffic, property devaluation, anti-social behaviour of hotel guests, loss of residential amenity and inadequate public surveillance.

But the approved permit outlines a series of conditions including no live music at the backpackers bar, signs installed to encourage responsible “off-site” patron behaviour, and a cap of 200-patrons allowed in its outdoor seating area.

Meanwhile, the cinema must be capped at 600 patrons, and the medical centre is only allowed to operate with a maximum of 10 medical practitioners.

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Originally published as VCAT approves permit for $29m Torquay development featuring cinema, KFC and backpackers