Torquay retirees plan wins council backing

Hamish Heard
A Torquay developer has overcome the first hurdle in his quest to build a $40 million low-cost retirement village on the town’s outskirts.
Councillors have voted in favour of the proposal, with most saying it would help address a shortfall in affordable housing for retirees in Surf Coast Shire.
Only Anglesea councillor Beth Davidson voted against the proposal.
Developer Mark Casey said the support of the councillors was encouraging.
He said 350 potential buyers had already registered interest in the project.
The village would have 300 low-cost retirement villas including 52 with no ingoing fees to allow pensioners to move in for free.
“By 2011 there will be over 7800 residents over the age of 55 and there is currently 29 retirement village units in the shire,” Mr Casey said.
“If that’s not a critical shortage I don’t know what is.”
The development would also include “substantial” green wedges, sport facilities and a “comprehensive” range of communal amenities including a shuttle bus to ferry residents into central Torquay.
Mr Casey said it was important for ageing local residents to have options allowing them to stay on the Surf Coast in retirement.
“There will be a section 173 attached to the planning permit to give Surf Coast residents absolute priority for the no-ingoing-fees villas,” he said.
The self-sustainable project would also benefit existing and future developments in Torquay’s western growth corridor through provision of sewerage and other infrastructure, Mr Casey said.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield yesterday threw his weight behind the proposal.
Mr Crutchfield said Surf Coast had a “significant need for that type of development”.
“In principle, I’d hope that no one would disagree and I think it would fill a market need which Torquay is lacking at present,” he said.
Cr Keith Grossman, who owns the land earmarked for development, bowed out of this week’s vote to ask Planning Minister Rob Hulls to rezone the site.