Dairy, van park ‘no’

Council knocks back two developments

PLANS for two large developments in the region — a 14,000-sheep dairy in Inverleigh and a multi-million-dollar caravan park on the outskirts of Torquay — have been knocked back by the Surf Coast Shire.

Councillors voted 6-2 to refuse a permit for the sheep dairy after a 45-minute discussion on Tuesday night.

The $9m project, which attracted 96 community objections, was set to farm around 14,000 sheep and lambs, with many of its sheep milk products sold to Asia. Concerns about the proposal included its impact on the environment and risk to health, including potential for disease transmission.

Cr Adrian Schonfelder proposed the council defer a decision on the application until a council meeting next month, but his motion was only supported by Cr Gary Allen.

Cr Schonfelder argued more time was needed to further investigate the issues surrounding the proposal, despite the application first being lodged with the council in 2019.

“It’s very important for us with COVID and postCOVID to support agriculture and support jobs in the agriculture sector,” he said.

But Cr Heather Wellington said there was ample information in the officers’ report to make a decision.

“If we haven’t been able to sort out in two years what the issues are around Q fever, I don’t think another month to be fair is really going to help us,” Cr Wellington said.

“The community is entitled to a decision, the applicant is entitled to a decision. If we defer this motion, we open the gate for the applicant to go to VCAT now.”

A proposal to build a caravan park on two properties in Freshwater Creek also failed to gain support.

The $8.5m plan — which follows the 2015 rejection of a $105m proposal to build a 500cabin park at the site — was set to feature 42 cabins, six “glamping” tents, 61 caravan and camping sites, a playground, cinema space, swimming pool, gym, BMX tracks, bowls and tennis courts and a cafe and general store.

Councillors voted against granting a permit.

The council received 173 objections, with concerns including potential impact on the non-urban break area of Thompson Creek.

The site is set to be used to store caravans and boats after the council unanimously voted to support a separate application for the location. 8-1