Plan for 96 Rose units put on hold

Alex de Vos
The owner of Torquay’s Rose Restaurant has withdrawn plans for 96 holiday units, a convention centre and a day spa on the site.
The Independent revealed last year that Southern Rose sole director Pier Loren had submitted an application to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for the $10 million development.
But this week Mr Loren said he had withdrawn his plans to reapply after Surf Coast Shire had rezoned land in stage one of plans for new residential development west of Duffield’s Road.
“We’re going to wait until council has started rezoning a great slice of the Spring Creek development.
“It’s better to wait for the rezoning and then we’ll apply again for exactly the same project,” Mr Loren said.
He said the shire had approved his initial application in 2003 for 48 motel units and a convention centre.
However, he had expanded the plan after talks with the restaurant operators, who had a 20-year lease on the Rose.
“We want to build a total of 96 units because 48 would not be viable,” he told the Independent.
“We need to have enough accommodation to cater for visitors to the convention centre and day spa.”
Mr Loren said the day spa would include a heated pool, a gymnasium and a beauty centre.
“This development, costing in excess of $10 million, would cater to all visitor needs and open up the area for further tourism.”