Ryman Healthcare has received some good news in its bid to convert the Moondah Estate at Mt Eliza, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, into a retirement village and aged care home.

A new report handed down by a planning panel has recommended excluding the site from proposed “green wedge” rezoning, which would have barred Ryman from redeveloping the estate.

“The Panel concurs with the submissions of Ryman that the Amendment reflects unfair and bad policy making and is not founded on strategic research.

“The Panel concludes the Amendment was prepared hastily with no strategic research or advice and used a tool to prevent the consideration of the Ryman permit application,” it wrote.

Ryman’s General Manager of Development, David Laing (pictured), has welcomed the panel’s report, saying it “speaks for itself”.

“We remain focused on the ongoing VCAT hearing and working constructively through that process so the tribunal can make a decision based on the facts.

“The historical Moondah Mansion on the site is a local heritage treasure, and we’re excited at the possibility of fully restoring it and placing it at the heart of a community that provides the care and support older Mt Eliza locals deserve,” he said.

The plans are currently before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), though Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last month rejected them as overdevelopment. Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh has called upon the Planning Minister to preserve the site as green space.

“We believe that the land outside the Urban Growth Boundary should be protected from de facto urbanisation. We’re determined to explore every avenue to ensure our prized Green Wedge is protected,” he said.