Barwon Heads residents say planned 10-bedroom home across four blocks was approved by ‘stealth’

It’ll have seven living areas, a cinema, elevator and golf simulator and neighbouring residents say the “absolutely huge” mansion will destroy the village feel of the town.

Residents including Judy and Bruce Wilson oppose a major development along the Barwon Heads riverfront. Picture: Alison Wynd

Barwon Heads residents say they were intentionally kept in the dark about a huge riverside mansion approved by council that will overlook the town’s famous bridge.

They fear the planned mega-million-dollar project, which would be spread across four blocks on Paringa Lane and Talbot St, would “forever change” the area.

The blocks have been bought over the past seven years for more than $25m.

The plans, originally published online by Rob Mills Architects, feature seven living spaces, 10 bedrooms – each with an ensuite – as well as a bar, cinema, elevator, golf simulator, outdoor space and a retaining sea wall.

The home would be three stories, including a basement level.

Nearby residents claim an entirely different set of plans were submitted to City Hall, which excluded the third storey.

Residents said because of this exclusion, the plans submitted to council were able to be approvedwithout community consultation as a two-storey “single dwelling”.

Resident Judy Wilson, whose riverfront property has been in her family for 75 years, said neighbours were “shell shocked” when they discovered the extent of the build.

She said that only occurred when the first of the four houses was removed earlier this month.

“It went through council as a “single dwelling on a single block” so they didn’t have to advertise (publicly),” she said.

“We knew the owner was acquiring the properties but we had no idea.”

Ms Wilson said residents felt the project would “forever change” the riverside because the proposed structure would be clearly visible from many angles.

“From the bridge, it’s going to look like a resort, it’s absolutely huge,” she said.

“We’re not against building, as long as you respect the landscape.

“But they’re ruining the vintage feel of Barwon Heads, and that’s what we’re all concerned about.”

Residents are opposing a major development along the Barwon Heads riverfront. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ms Wilson said residents believed the build did not comply with the local laws that regulate development along the river.

She said the plans suggested it would be raised to sea level and built to just 5m from the river’s edge, with a concrete sea wall.

“Several of the houses along the waterfront have suspended decks, floating lawns, to allow the river to flow, but this will have a solid concrete wall and a basement,” she said.

Ms Wilson’s husband, Bruce, said the build was “unreasonably described” as a single dwelling.

Upon learning of the plans, he said it was more like a “cruise ship”.

“It seems to us council were either comfortable stripping Barwon Heads of its village feel in favour of a mansion … or they were blindsided by what appears to have been a land grab by stealth,” he said.

City Hall’s executive director of placemaking Tennille Bradley said council had issued a planning permit for the construction of a single dwelling, including a swimming pool and spa, for the properties in February last year.

“A two-storey dwelling under 7.5m in height has been proposed and at this stage, no plans have been submitted for a third storey,” she said.

“This week, we received an amended planning permit application to the single dwelling for buildings and works to the sea wall and the levels associated with the private open space.”

Ms Bradley said the amended planning application would be assessed in accordance with the requirements of the city’s planning scheme, including public notification.

Originally published as Barwon Heads residents say planned 10-bedroom home across four blocks was approved by ‘stealth’