By MICHELLE HERBISON
PLANS to refurbish Queenscliff’s Victoria Tavern and add eight apartments to the site are headed to a tribunal after council failed to make a decision on the proponent’s planning permit application.
MRTN Architects’ Antony Martin said 17 objections to the application for 10-18 Hesse St meant a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing would have been likely even if council had supported the project.
Project manager David Knight thought council might have shied away from the issue due to politics.
“It’s a very small election base and they don’t want to upset too many people. The planning people at council are supportive of the scheme but, whether it’s too sensitive for them to make a determination, none of us know.”
Mr Martin said the “high end” development would include restoring the tavern’s facade to its original condition.
Borough of Queenscliffe spokesperson Erica Naughtin said council was unable to make a determination due to “the complexity of the development” and because the councillors were in pre-election caretaker mode when the application was tabled last year.
Objections labelled the proposal an “over-development” of the site that would create access, parking and amenity issues.
Queenscliff Community Association secretary Christine Johnson wrote that the development would “have a detrimental impact on the character of the area and the permanent population”.
Heritage architecture reports showed the plans complied with regulations but proving the proposal was within restrictions including height and density was “achievable but needs a lot of work”, Mr Knight said.
