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Inverloch hotel headed for VCAT

21/9/2022

9 Comments

 
PictureArtist's impression of the planned Lido development on the Inverloch foreshore, submitted with the application by the Forte Group
By Jonathan Upson

THE South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) has appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) to overturn approval of a four-storey hotel on the Inverloch foreshore.

The Lido serviced apartment building is proposed by the Forte Group on the site of the old boat sale yard next to the Glade and Inverloch Sound Shell. Bass Coast Shire Council approved the development in June despite 60 objections

The proposed hotel is 15 metres tall – far in excess of the planning guideline’s statement that the “building height is required to be a maximum of 9.5 metres from natural ground level”.

While the council has the power to approve buildings higher than the maximum height in the planning scheme, SGCS believes the hotel is a massive overdevelopment of the site and inappropriate for such a special location in the heart of Inverloch.

SGCS president Ed Thexton said the development would tower over the Glade and the foreshore as the site is already elevated.  It also sets a terrible precedent for future planning decisions for even taller buildings in Inverloch. 

“We are concerned that the proposal seems likely to close off the opportunity for realisation of a number of council, Victorian Government and community initiatives in Inverloch,” he said.

These include the future cultural centre proposed in the council’s Dinosaurs Trail Masterplan, the Victorian Government’s plans for an Inverloch trail-head for the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park, community and council aspirations for an Inverloch Maritime Museum to celebrate the Amazon shipwreck and other Bass Coast maritime history, as well as incorporation of a redeveloped Bunurong Environment Centre (the home of SGCS).

Mr Thexton notes the developer is represented by legal counsel and will be calling expert witnesses to try to persuade VCAT the proposed development is appropriate and will be a net benefit to the community. 

“Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and money to have a decent chance of winning cases against wealthy developers.”

The conservation society is now seeking donations to help with the VCAT appeal, If you would like to help please email info@sgcs.org.au. You can also donate at www.sgcs.org.au/donate.php. Please indicate the donation is for the VCAT hearing.

The hearing is scheduled to begin on January 30, 2023 and will be held virtually, although the VCAT member is expected to visit the site.

Jonathan Upson is a committee member of the South Gippsland Conservation Society.  
Picture
Lido Place and The Glade
June 30, 2022 - A new development is planned for Inverloch’s gathering place. Ed Thexton reckons it’s like having an elephant in your lounge room.

9 Comments
Meredith Schaap
21/9/2022 02:56:18 pm

Good luck in opposing this totally inappropriate development. It will spoil the village feeling of Inverloch.

Reply
Risemary
24/9/2022 12:05:19 pm

Only commercial building on the foreshore
All the rest have a road between them and the foreshore/beach.
Needs to be stopped or dramatically altered.

Reply
Karen Briggs
25/9/2022 11:22:02 am

Good luck in opposing this inappropriate eyesore...

Reply
Michelle Butler
25/9/2022 08:40:34 pm

I hope you win the VCAT case. I do not understand why this building is considered appropriate progress. The country and coastal towns appeal is that they are not like the city, why are they trying to make country towns look like the city. Please stop this horrible building and precedent.

Reply
Tracy Fox
25/9/2022 09:09:54 pm

What an eyesore this will be if it gets through VCAT, and it goes against what Inverloch is all about. It needs to be built somewhere else hidden away, like the RACV club, not sitting right where it can’t be unseen. Where are people going to park in an already busy area where locals struggle to find a park in the off seasons, let alone peak periods?
I can already see it covered in graffiti

Reply
Ling Li
26/9/2022 05:07:53 am

I do not understand why this building is considered appropriate progress. The country and coastal towns appeal is that they are not like the city, why are they trying to make country towns look like the city. Please stop this horrible building and precedent.And visitors needs car park when they come to our town.

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Helen marke
26/9/2022 11:40:14 am

So in apropriate ..it will dominate everything and change the small seaside vibe

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Ann Adams
28/9/2022 09:23:36 pm

The proposed development is a disgrace as it is entirely inappropriate for Inverloch as it towers over the Glade and other commercial properties. Inverloch has no need for such high ugly development .

Reply
Don Morris
29/9/2022 01:55:20 pm

This development is a ghastly intrusion on a prime recreational space in Inverloch.

Reply



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