57-59 The Parade development sparks debate among Ocean Grove residents, developer

A developer says a $10m Ocean Grove units plan is “what the zone is designed for” as the consortium behind it prepares to fight objectors.

A developer behind a multimillion-dollar proposal in the heart of old Ocean Grove said he “will not rollover” despite more than 150 objections.

Bruce Wilson, who is part of the consortium behind the $10m development proposed for 57-59 The Parade, said the developer was gearing up to face the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after anticipating some backlash from the community.

“We knew full well it would create angst among some people,” he said.

Residents objecting to plans for 17 apartments in The Parade. Picture: Alan Barber

“We are only building what we are allowed to build … this is what the zone is designed for, if this doesn’t get through it basically means VCAT is overruling the council on what growth zones in Ocean Grove are going to look like.

“These people, their problem is not with us, their problem is with the zone, we complied completely with the whole thing.

Artist impressions of 57-59 The Parade proposal.

“They’re entitled to their opinion and they will get their say at VCAT.

“We are confident we will win.”

The proposed design is sprawled across two blocks and would feature 17 apartments over three storeys with an additional fourth storey for underground parking.

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Nearby resident, John Finlayson is among those objecting to the proposal which he calls an ‘overkill’.

“It is way too big for what we have always had,” he said.

“It will be turned into an Airbnb palace. That is what happens in our street already, houses that are Airbnb’s get surrounded by cars and block up streets.

“It’s two-hour parking in front of the units, so all the people who live there or all the Airbnb guests will be parking right on the hill which people can’t see over.

“This street was meant to be a one-way street because of the danger in summer. We have so many near misses because people go flying up the hill.”

If approved the development will feature five ground floor apartments, eight on the second floor and four on the top level, with 31 carparking spaces underground.

The planning application notes that the apartments will range in size from 94 square metres to 188, with the apartment complex to not exceed 10.5 metres above the natural ground level.

“We probably have nine fairly substantial apartments equivalent to houses which have significant outdoor areas,” Mr Wilson said.

“It is an alternative housing solution, for those who want to stay close to town and still have a fairly substantial property without the maintenance they have at the moment.

“The top floor is designed to take advantage of the view and the middle level is a mix of slightly cheaper apartments which allows other people who can’t afford $1.5m-$2m properties to enter the Ocean Grove property market.

“It is a very expensive town now and not everyone has got the dollars to be where they want to be, it is giving other people who don’t have exceptionally deep pockets the opportunity to buy in a nice development, in a nice location.”

A decision on the future of the development is expected to be made by VCAT early next year if mediation on the project is not successful.

Originally published as 57-59 The Parade development sparks debate among Ocean Grove residents, developer