By NOEL MURPHY
GROWING competition in Torquay’s top-end tourism market could be behind Handbury Group plans to convert The Sands Peppers Resort to an aged-care facility, according to a planner.
A spokesperson for St Quentin Consulting said the RACV’s new 90-plus room resort at Torquay Golf Club and Wyndham Resort’s 160 rooms could have prompted the group to consider “increasing its flexibility”.
St Quentin Consulting has lodged a planning amendment request for the aged care facility with Surf Coast Shire.
The Peppers resort accommodation is linked to The Sands golf course, part of a Handbury Group residential estate between Horseshoe Bend Rd and White’s Beach in east Torquay.
Council has agreed to put the amendment out for public submissions while calling for a forum to explain the plans and process to residents of The Sands.
The Handbury Group wants to convert the hotel to a 112-room aged and respite care facility, with a focus on “the frail and aged”.
St Quentin said The Handbury Group would honour all existing use arrangements with The Sands residents.
“Concerns had been raised … about residents at The Sands and their rights to the gym, pool and clubhouse. Those arrangements have been made by private agreement and won’t change,” the spokesman said.
Residents of the aged care centre would have access to the golf clubhouse and other facilities but the Handbury Group expected they would place a lighter load on the facility than the existing users, the spokesman said.
Peppers The Sands Resort promotes itself as a “sleek and modern premium golf resort destination”. A three-level infill links the clubhouse to the three-storey resort accommodation, complicating title arrangements in any possible sale negotiations.
The St Quentin spokesman said the proposed change of use might mean the operator of the aged care facility would buy the entire property and then lease unwanted components, such as the clubhouse.
“Either way, Handbury would either own or operate the clubhouse,” he said.
