Block on agenda

Anglesea apartments

SURF Coast Shire Council will decide the future of a proposed 21-apartment building at Anglesea next week.

The development at 109 Great Ocean Road would sit 9.5m above ground level and include two shops.

The planning application was available for public comment from October and received 25 submissions, including 22 objections and three in support of the project.

Community concerns about the project included: NEGATIVE impact on character of Anglesea; INAPPROPRIATE height; CONCERN about carparking; REDUCTION in property values; LOSS of views; LACK of landscaping and open space; and, LACK of demand for apartments and shops.

But the submissions in support said it would boost the economy, provide quality accommodation, enhance the appeal of the industrial strip and increase the population to support small businesses.

The application was to be heard on November 27 but was deferred until next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a $60 million mega-hotel development at Torquay is in limbo.

Surf Coast Council environment and development manager Ransce Salan said a date for a decision was not known.

“VicRoads has requested further information on the proposal and the applicant has until March 16 to respond,” Mr Salan said.

The five-storey project by Melbourne-based investment firm Barnes Capital, standing up to 16.9m, would have 128 rooms, a 100-seat restaurant, indoor pool, day spa, rooftop terrace and bar, conference facilities and retail outlets.

The proposed hotel at the corner of Bell St and the Surf Coast Highway drew 132 objections and one in support.