Wellness retreat set to go to panel
THE Borough of Queenscliffe has taken a decision on a planning application for a controversial wellness retreat out of the hands of the planning officers.
The council resolved on Thursday to “remove officer delegation” in relation to the planning application for the Bellarine Wellness Retreat following community concern it may be a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic.
The community concern came despite the words “drug”, “alcohol” or “rehabilitation” not appearing anywhere in the planning application or report.
The council on Thursday night resolved, “That council remove officer delegation conferred under Section 98(1) of the Local Government Act 1989 in relation to Planning Permit Application 2017/082, 81 Nelson Road, Queenscliff: Use of the premises as a residential building on the grounds of significant community interest, potential amenity impact to adjoining residential area and parking requirements.”
The Geelong Advertiser was unable to contact the council or Mayor Susan Salter yesterday.
It is understood the resolution means the decision on the planning application may now go to a planning panel convened by the council.
The application to repurpose a former Nelson Rd agedcare facility in Queenscliff into a short stay “retreat/respite” centre has caused waves in the well-heeled coastal town in recent weeks.
A planning report for the Bellarine Wellness Retreat describes a 24-hour staffed “away from home retreat and respite” centre for individuals and couples — including yoga, swimming, snorkelling and day trips.
Following the submission of the planning application, Queenscliff residents launched a campaign to block the retreat, which was registered as a business name in September, with David Forbes listed as an organisational representative.
Mr Forbes is also the director of Habitat Therapeutics, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation company, a role that is understood to have sparked the community concern.
Mr Forbes has repeatedly declined to speak with the Geelong Advertiser.
Letters and posters have been distributed near the proposed development, with one letter titled, ”Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre near you” raising concerns it may affect property prices.
The objections have been raised less than a year after Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association statistics showed Geelong had notched up more drug deaths than any other part of regional Victoria.
Figures showed the region lost 130 people to overdoses between 2009-2016, the highest figure outside metropolitan Melbourne.