SPORTS FACILITY CLEARS HURDLE

Divided council’s conditional support for $350m project despite CORA’s lack of details

THE chorus of questions surrounding a $350 million elite sports facility proposed for Modewarre is growing after a divided Surf Coast Shire pledged its support for the mammoth project.

Council’s qualified support for the project planned for 220ha of rural land off

Cape Otway Rd includes clauses to maintain shared public-private use, ban subdivision outside areas already identified, and remove site access via nearby Connies Lane, except in emergencies.

Councillors’ calls for clarity about the Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) development is backed by residents who say they have been kept in the dark.

THE chorus of questions surrounding a $350 million elite sports facility proposed for Modewarre is growing after a divided Surf Coast Shire council pledged its support for the mammoth project.

Council’s qualified support for the project planned for 220ha of rural land off Cape Otway Road includes clauses to maintain shared publicprivate use, ban subdivision outside areas already identified, and remove site access via nearby Connies Lane, except in emergencies.

Councillors’ calls for clarity about the Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) development is backed by Surf Coast residents who say they have been kept in the dark and are fearful their rural lifestyles will be irreversibly damaged if the project is approved.

The CORA project first floated two years ago is set to include a wellbeing centre, 128room hotel, a sports science hub and retail precinct.

Yesterday, project spokesman and architect Daryl Pelchen dodged questions about the need for the proponent to hold a community information session.

Mr Pelchen did not respond to questions asking if he could “categorically” rule out residential development at the site;, how much of the site would be opened to the community, and if Connies Lane would become a secondary entrance to the development.

In a statement Mr Pelchen encouraged the public to

“lodge a submission” to the planning panel assessing the project before today’s deadline.

Ultimately approval of the project sits with Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who will be informed by an independent assessment by the planning panel.

At the meeting councillors were concerned about the absence of details on the project.

Councillors Heather Wellington, James McIntyre and Brian McKiterick, who were outvoted, said council’s submission to the panel assessing the project should not indicate support.

In its submission to the planning panel, council said the project “presents an exciting opportunity for the region”.

Council issued conditions of its support and called for the sports precinct to be built before onsite accommodation, a clear planning approval framework and better protection for neighbouring residents.

Cr Wellington said it was “impossible” to tell who the sports facility was catering for.

Residents said they had been forced to host their own community consultation about the project that is set to include cafes, restaurants, a distribution centre, 90-place childcare centre, organic farm and a conservation area.

The project’s proponent hopes the facility will be operational by mid-2023. It is expected to create 1000 construction jobs and about 200 permanent roles.

Submissions can be made at www. engage. vic. gov. au/ CORA-advisory-committee