Surf Coast Shire Council has narrowly given in-principle support to selling land for a proposed retirement village in Torquay, Victoria, but may push for a smaller development.
The Council voted 5-4 in favour of supporting the sale of land on Cypress Lane following recommendations from a report by its officers.
The move came amid strident community opposition, however, with residents and local groups such as the Greater Torquay Alliance submitting at least 78 objections to the four-storey village put forward for the site.
As reported in the Geelong Advertiser, Councillor Liz Pattinson stressed that Council was not endorsing the application.
“This motion is not about support for the development or determining that the land is to be sold… there are a number of processes that will need to be carried out prior to a decision around the sale of land,” she said.
Councillor Pattinson said that more affordable retirement living and aged care is needed for the area, and that giving in-principle support will “enable the council to commence negotiations with the developer around an appropriate scale for this retirement village”, in a sign that Council could seek a scaled-back proposal.
“Older residents and those with a disability need to be able to continue to live in their community in appropriate housing.
“Based on this, it is worth further consideration and negotiation, I think, to try to achieve an outcome that meets our community’s needs and expectations,” she said.
Negotiations are ongoing, and the developer has at this stage declined to comment.
