Mahers Landing, site of the proposed marina development By Catherine Watson
A BASS Coast Council report pans the latest plan to turn Andersons Inlet into a millionaires’ playground.
Developer Jason Yeap is seeking rezoning of 253 hectares of coastal farmland to a special use zone designated as Mahers Landing Marina Village, accommodating a 200-boat marina and 1113 residential sites.
Councillors will vote next Wednesday on a proposed planning scheme amendment to permit the $380 million development.
But the decision appears a foregone conclusion with a report by council planning staff describing the plan as “an inappropriate intrusion into the fragile coastal environment unsupported by an existing state, regional or local policy or strategy”.
A BASS Coast Council report pans the latest plan to turn Andersons Inlet into a millionaires’ playground.
Developer Jason Yeap is seeking rezoning of 253 hectares of coastal farmland to a special use zone designated as Mahers Landing Marina Village, accommodating a 200-boat marina and 1113 residential sites.
Councillors will vote next Wednesday on a proposed planning scheme amendment to permit the $380 million development.
But the decision appears a foregone conclusion with a report by council planning staff describing the plan as “an inappropriate intrusion into the fragile coastal environment unsupported by an existing state, regional or local policy or strategy”.
| “The proposal is not considered fair, orderly, economic or sustainable use or development of land in the Bass Coast Shire … None of Council’s existing settlement planning framework contemplates the need for a new coastal settlement to satisfy current land supply and demand requirements.” The report notes that the development is inconsistent with a total of 17 prohibitions, strategies or objectives of the Bass Coast Planning Scheme and the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy 2020, which directs councils to ensure that residential developments are restricted to existing or identified settlements. While details of the proposed rezoning have not been released for public comment, it has already received 38 objections from the community. The report notes that the proposed rezoning runs counter to multiple provisions of the Victoria’s Government’s new Marine and Coastal Policy (2020), which prohibits development of new residential canal estates, and the Bass Coast Planning Scheme, which restricts residential developments to existing settlements. Council officers noted that the applicant submitted technical reports related to land and marine ecology, hydrology, drainage, cultural heritage, bushfire risk and infrastructure servicing but it was considered unnecessary to assess these since the proposal failed on so many counts. Unlike a normal planning application, the developer cannot appeal to the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal against a decision to reject a rezoning. He can approach the Minister of Planning directly but is likely to get short shrift since the proposal breaches so many aspects of the government’s own coastal planning framework. Future proposals of a similar kind will be assessed within the framework of the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes overlay which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It’s not the first time developers have been bewitched by Mahers Landing, a scruffy but tranquil spot to launch a tinny or dangle a line in Andersons Inlet. In 2003 a developer proposed a project called Tarwin Cove, which included a golf course, housing and a marina. At the same time a 2000-lot development was proposed for the floodplain opposite Maher’s Landing, at Venus Bay. | Setback for developer  John Woodman The Mahers Landing Marina Village was always a long shot but it suffered an additional setback when head consultant for the project, John Woodman, was grilled at Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) late last year over multiple shifty dealings with Casey Council. They included cash payments totalling $1.2 million to the mayor and a councillor, along with large donations for election expenses to most of the councillors and local MPs. The Post has no doubt our own local councillors would have rejected such approaches from Mr Woodman, but he was a master of the art of influencing people in high places. That is, they barely noticed that he was entangling them until it was too late. Before the IBAC hearings, he was already putting out feelers in Bass Coast. Mr Woodman suggested the council set up a community reference group for the Mahers Landing project. He funded a similar group in Cranbourne East that ended up supporting his planning application for his client’s residential development. However, the maestro miscalculated when he approached one of our own local environment groups following a presentation to the Bass Coast Shire Councillors last year. Those at the short meeting assured him that they would fight him all the way on the Mahers Landing marina – and made sure they paid for their own coffee! Following the IBAC hearings, Mr Yeap appointed new consultants to proceed with the application. |
Following strong community opposition, the then Department of Sustainability and Environment undertook a study of the many issues, pros and cons. The outcome was clear: the cons far outweighed the pros. Both projects were abandoned.
Past Post stories
Tell him he’s dreamin’
Nov 22 2019 - The Mahers Landing marina project was always a fantasy. The last rites were performed this week when head consultant John Woodman was grilled at a corruption hearing. Catherine Watson reports
Mud between the toes
August 3, 2018 - Mahers Landing is no place for millionaires’ yachts, writes Mark Robertson, but it has plenty of riches for those who are willing to see.
Past Post stories
Tell him he’s dreamin’
Nov 22 2019 - The Mahers Landing marina project was always a fantasy. The last rites were performed this week when head consultant John Woodman was grilled at a corruption hearing. Catherine Watson reports
Mud between the toes
August 3, 2018 - Mahers Landing is no place for millionaires’ yachts, writes Mark Robertson, but it has plenty of riches for those who are willing to see.
Glossy brochure for the proposed development on the edge of Andersons Inlet