Win for lagoon project

The state’s planning tribunal has approved a controversial plan to build seven double-storey units on bayfront land abutting a nature park at St Leonards.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in favour of the development despite the objection of residents and Department of Sustainability and Environment. However, the tribunal attached a series of conditions including development of an environmental management plan and measures to minimise the project’s impact on neighbours.
Tribunal senior member Margaret Baird said the applicant, St Leonards Developments, had initially planned to build 10 dwellings on the .8 hectare site at 409 The Esplanade. The site abuts Salt Lagoon Nature Park.
Ms Baird called the proposal and changes to the initial plan an “acceptable outcome”.