High-rise plans for Torquay and Anglesea draw community flak
TWO controversial proposed developments will be considered at a Surf Coast Shire meeting this month.
After being inundated with feedback on the projects, the council will hear submissions on a planned five-storey hotel in Torquay and an 21-apartment complex in Anglesea.
More than 180 submissions were reportedly received on the proposed $60 million hotel, to be situated on the corner of Bell St and Geelong Rd.
The expanded site — which at one stage had been linked to an ALDI supermarket — now hosts a car wash and a vacant block.
The high-rise hotel, standing up to 16.9m tall, would have more rooms than the nearby RACV resort.
It would feature 128 rooms, a 100-seat restaurant, indoor pool and bar, day spa, rooftop terrace and bar, conference facilities and several retail outlets.
Among the opponents is the new community body Greater Torquay Alliance, made up of seven local groups.
It has called for permanent town boundaries and building height limits for Torquay, Jan Juc and Bellbrae.
The hotel development has been publicly released amid state election campaign debate about curbing growth in the Surf Coast.
Both major parties have talked about the need to introduce tighter planning measures and building height limits in Torquay.
While South Barwon candidates Darren Cheeseman (Labor) and Damien Cole (in- dependent) have both directly criticised the proposal.
“I agree that something needs to be done on that block. But it should be something that fits the character and cultural identity of Torquay,” Mr Cole said.
A proposed 21-apartment building at 109 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea is also on the meeting agenda.
The development, to sit 9.5 metres above ground level, has drawn criticism for its height, density and perceived character.
A submissions committee meeting will be held at the Surf Coast council chambers on November 13.