By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY’S The Sands can expect a fight from resort residents unhappy with plans to convert its hotel into an aged-care facility.
Two hundred anxious residents who voiced their concerns in a forum convened by resort owner the Handbury Group last weekend are now set to lodge formal objections with Surf Coast council.
Resident Paul Martonhelyi told the Independent many questions remained unanswered.
“People are pretty passionate about living here and they’re looking for a lot more detailed answers than what we got in a Q-and-A document sent out the week before with non-committal answers to hypothetical questions.”
The Handbury Group wants to convert The Sands Peppers Resort to a “high-end” 112-room aged care and respite facility.
But residents in the plush golf-oriented resort estate are concerned the aged care facility could affect their access to resort facilities, lower property values and lead to subdivision of the golf course.
Mr Martonhelyi said existing purpose-built facilities elsewhere in the area already catered adequately for Torquay’s aged care demand.
The value of high-end tourism accommodation such as Peppers in attracting overseas visitors was identified in a Great Ocean Road management plan last year, he said.
“People don’t want this to go ahead.
“Nothing against the need for aged care but this is not the appropriate place. This is a premium tourist resort attached to a lovely championship golf complex.
“To turn it into a cobbled-together aged-care facility doesn’t make sense, especially when other aged care services in town are better equipped to provide services.”
Consultancy St Quentin, on behalf of the Handbury Group, has promised all use arrangements with residents would be honoured.
A St Quentin spokesperson has told the Independent residents’ rights to gym, pool and clubhouse access would remain unchanged.
The Sands’ plans are open for public submissions for six weeks before a council vote.
Councillors could refer the application to an independent panel to report back to council for adjudication if residents’ objections remain unresolved.
The Handbury Group revealed the aged-care plan soon after RACV officially opened its redeveloped Torquay Golf Club with 92 “luxuriously-appointed rooms”.
