Councillors call for government guidance on how to handle coastal development in an age of climate change. By Catherine Watson
BASS Coast Council has approved a $13.6 million extension of the RACV’s Inverloch resort despite the risk of inundation to the access road.
The RACV proposes to add 44 rooms, 39 car spaces and a new wedding deck to the existing resort. But first it will have to address concerns around the flooding risk to the satisfaction of the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
The CMA objected to the development on the basis that the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road has been identified as at risk of inundation with no alternative exit for guests and staff in the event of a major flood.
BASS Coast Council has approved a $13.6 million extension of the RACV’s Inverloch resort despite the risk of inundation to the access road.
The RACV proposes to add 44 rooms, 39 car spaces and a new wedding deck to the existing resort. But first it will have to address concerns around the flooding risk to the satisfaction of the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
The CMA objected to the development on the basis that the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road has been identified as at risk of inundation with no alternative exit for guests and staff in the event of a major flood.
In 2020 storm surges left a section of the road at the intersection with Surf Parade at risk of collapsing until Regional Roads Victoria installed a rock wall.
In considering the matter at this week’s council meeting, councillors expressed frustration at the lack of State Government guidance on how to handle development proposals in an age of climate change and rising sea levels.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the council has been advocating for urgent intervention by the State Government to clarify climate change-induced coastal inundation planning.
He said the planning framework has highlighted the lack of clarity that currently exists for landholders and developers seeking to build on the coast due to the confusion around coastal flooding rules.
“The planning rules in flood-prone areas require an all-of-state approach,’’ he said.
Current Victorian Government policy recommends that coastal communities should plan for an average anticipated sea level rise of at least 0.8m by the year 2100. The RACV development was required to be assessed on the risk of a 1-in-100-year flooding event.
The council officer’s report recommended the council refuse the application on the basis of the CMA objection but Cr Brett Tessari moved an alternate motion that it should be permitted if the RACV can convince the CMA it can address concerns around the flooding risk.
Cr Tessari said the development had been under discussion for at least five years and the delay was frustrating for all councillors. “To hold up a $13.6 million project because of this is incredibly frustrating. The RACV sits on top of a cliff, safe from anything.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead said the development ticked all the boxes for Bass Coast.
“It is unreasonable and unfair for a business that’s addressed all the planning framework requirements to be refused based on a piece of infrastructure – in this case a road – that is completely out of their control.
“The State Government needs to consider that climate change is likely to have this impact and address the real issues and ensure the integrity of their roads.”
Cr David Rooks said the problem was going to come up many times. “The CMA have put forward their response to that and they have concerns. We should respect that. There will be many more of these. We need to look at the big picture and where council fits in this.”
Cr Leticia Laing said it was no longer possible for councils to act as if it were business as usual as this would be very expensive down the track. “We do need some better guidance from the State Government on how to strategically offer developers and the community a way forward in this changing climate and planning environment.”
Cr Les Larke said he considered the CMA objection was unreasonably risk-averse. “RRV took action to respond to the Surf Parade, Cape Paterson intersection road assets under threat. In my view the same would happen to any part of the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road, including road access to and from the RACV resort.”
In considering the matter at this week’s council meeting, councillors expressed frustration at the lack of State Government guidance on how to handle development proposals in an age of climate change and rising sea levels.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the council has been advocating for urgent intervention by the State Government to clarify climate change-induced coastal inundation planning.
He said the planning framework has highlighted the lack of clarity that currently exists for landholders and developers seeking to build on the coast due to the confusion around coastal flooding rules.
“The planning rules in flood-prone areas require an all-of-state approach,’’ he said.
Current Victorian Government policy recommends that coastal communities should plan for an average anticipated sea level rise of at least 0.8m by the year 2100. The RACV development was required to be assessed on the risk of a 1-in-100-year flooding event.
The council officer’s report recommended the council refuse the application on the basis of the CMA objection but Cr Brett Tessari moved an alternate motion that it should be permitted if the RACV can convince the CMA it can address concerns around the flooding risk.
Cr Tessari said the development had been under discussion for at least five years and the delay was frustrating for all councillors. “To hold up a $13.6 million project because of this is incredibly frustrating. The RACV sits on top of a cliff, safe from anything.”
Cr Rochelle Halstead said the development ticked all the boxes for Bass Coast.
“It is unreasonable and unfair for a business that’s addressed all the planning framework requirements to be refused based on a piece of infrastructure – in this case a road – that is completely out of their control.
“The State Government needs to consider that climate change is likely to have this impact and address the real issues and ensure the integrity of their roads.”
Cr David Rooks said the problem was going to come up many times. “The CMA have put forward their response to that and they have concerns. We should respect that. There will be many more of these. We need to look at the big picture and where council fits in this.”
Cr Leticia Laing said it was no longer possible for councils to act as if it were business as usual as this would be very expensive down the track. “We do need some better guidance from the State Government on how to strategically offer developers and the community a way forward in this changing climate and planning environment.”
Cr Les Larke said he considered the CMA objection was unreasonably risk-averse. “RRV took action to respond to the Surf Parade, Cape Paterson intersection road assets under threat. In my view the same would happen to any part of the Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road, including road access to and from the RACV resort.”