Ryman Healthcare received approval to build a new continuum of care facility on 8.9ha on land at the former home of Sir Reginald Ansett at Mount Eliza, a seaside suburb on the Mornington Peninsula, 42km southeast of Melbourne's CBD, in January.

However, the council took the matter to the Victorian Government asking the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, to rezone the site to protect itself against development. She has announced several amendments to protect sites but has not protected the Mount Eliza site.

Ryman Healthcare's $317 million development of the site will see the full restoration of the 42-room heritage-listed Moondah Mansion, built by James Grice in 1888. 

The development is on the site of the old Melbourne Business School, and will comprise 104 independent apartments, 27 assisted living suites, and a 60-bed aged care centre providing low care, high care, and specialist dementia care.

It will include a bowling green, café, bar, cinema, indoor swimming pool, hair and beauty salon, gymnasium, and a place of worship.

The SOURCE: The difficulty retirement village operators face on new developments must be addressed by Federal Government.