Paul Harmon’s proposed land lease community at Leongatha, in Victoria’s South Gippsland region, has been knocked back over concerns about proximity to a hospital’s helipad.
The $30 million, 158-home development by Harmon Group was slated to be built next to the Leongatha Hospital (above), with the helipad along the shared boundary; however, South Gippsland Shire Council refused the application following a Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) objection.
“An objection to the application was received from the VHBA based on concerns that allowing new residential development adjoining the helipad may present a rotor downwash wind risk to residents in the development that might endanger the ongoing viability of the helipad,” a Council spokesperson said in a statement.
“Council sought to negotiate a response to the concerns but was unable to resolve the issues and ultimately determined that the application could not be supported in its current form and was refused.”
The spokesperson said Council is continuing to work with the developer to address the concerns regarding the helipad proximity.
Paul told The Weekly Source that he was “very positive” about the land lease concept – where you buy your home and lease the land under a Residential Site Agreement. The agreement normally gives you access to community facilities.
“It is a growing market. We own and operate Sanctuary Lifestyle at Drouin and if approved, we will do the same at Leongatha,” he said, adding he has similar projects planned for Koo Wee Up, 63km south-east of Melbourne’s CBD, and Warragul, 102km south-east, of Melbourne’s CBD.
