Former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne in Robe holiday home development stoush

Used to starring in a political drama, Christopher Pyne has entered the fray once again this time in protest over a development near his South-East holiday home.

The two houses on the left, at Robe, which are to be developed, and Christopher Pyne’s house on the right. Picture: Dean Martin

Christopher Pyne has made an unexpected return to politics, fronting a council development panel to protest against planned changes to a property next to his $2.8m Robe holiday house.

The former Liberal defence minister and one other objector on Thursday night argued against the development before the Limestone Coast Southern Regional Assessment Panel – raising concerns about overshadowing and the size of the proposed property.

The contested plan sought to alter a pair of lakeside two-storey dwellings by extending their ground-level decks to edge closer to the marina, while adding pavilion areas, pergolas and swimming pools.

The panel approved an amended version of the plan, but under its policy would not share the precise details of the changes with Mr Pyne or his fellow objector – leaving them in the strange position of not knowing what they were arguing against.

“I’m a private citizen and I’m allowed to make suggestions when there’s a development application,” a testy Mr Pyne told The Advertiser.

“I did that, and they accepted some of our concerns, and everyone’s happy.

“They seem to have met the objections of the neighbours and mitigated some of the risks.”

Architect Greg Bond, who designed the plan, said Mr Pyne had “tried to raise overshadowing, (but) unfortunately his property is actually on the northern side of the applicant’s, so if there is any overshadowing concern, his property actually overshadows the one that was being discussed”.

Mr Pyne, the former Liberal defence minister, fronted a council development panel protesting planned changes to a property next to his $2.8m Robe holiday home. Picture: Kelly Barnes

He said Mr Pyne’s objections over the property’s “massing” had been taken into consideration and resulted in the plan being revised.

But he conceded Mr Pyne and the second objector had been “at a disadvantage” because they had not seen the revised plan – leaving them only able to make representations opposing a “version of the scheme that … doesn’t exist anymore”.

The other objector, James Murray, owns an empty block to the south of the contested property.

He said he shared similar views with Mr Pyne, and the two had talked several times about the matter over the 12 to 18 months leading up to the panel meeting.

Mr Murray said he had previously opposed earlier plans for the same property which had raised its height, and the new plans “made it even bigger again”.

“For us to build on our block, we now not only have to build higher but longer,” he said.

“It’s going to look huge. I am disappointed in the result, but equally I can’t see, given the way the rules work, that we have any basis for challenging it. I’m resigned to the outcome.”

Earlier this month, experts told realestate.com.au that Robe was tipped to be the next Byron Bay, with buyer demand growing.

Mr Pyne was sceptical, saying: “We wear our shoes in Robe, I think in Byron Bay they get around on bare feet.”

Originally published as Former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne in Robe holiday home development stoush