A ROW is brewing over plans to build a retirement village off Roberts Rd, Mornington.
Residents are rallying to halt Steller Estates’ proposed 371-unit development on 20 hectares at the south end of Roberts Rd. The land is zoned Low Density Residential and designated a horse precinct.
The company’s planning permit application was knocked back by Mornington Peninsula Shire but it is appealing to VCAT. Steller has been directed to notify affected neighbours.
Steller told council that its retirement village submission “responds to the evident need for affordable retirement living on the Mornington Peninsula as Victoria’s population ages and housing pressure extends to the peninsula.”
Shire executive manager planning services David Bergin said the application was refused as it was “not sympathetic to the low scale transition area between Mornington and the green wedge”.
He said it was inconsistent with the peninsula’s localised planning statement and had the “potential to impact on the neighbouring conservation reserve and [could cause] potential conflict with the neighbouring race course”.
The land backs onto Balcombe Creek and the existing reserve and acts as a buffer to the creek and Tyabb Rd.
Residents of nearby properties have links to Mornington racecourse. Roberts Rd is gated between Tyabb-Mornington and Bungower roads because of the number of horses being taken to and from the racecourse.
Former mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the council rejected the Steller proposal “very early in the process as it is not appropriate for this area”.
“It does not fit into the council approved Mornington North plan or our housing and settlement strategy.”
She said the area was complementary to the racecourse and should remain low density residential with large blocks. There are also environmental reasons with its proximity to Balcombe Creek for it to remain as it is, she said.
First published in the Mornington News – 6 February 2018
