RYMAN Healthcare will appeal against Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s rejection of its plans to build a residential aged care and retirement village in Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza.
The New Zealand-based company said after its failed application that it would take its case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Victorian development manager David Laing said: “We were not surprised by the decision as councillors and staff had foreshadowed their opposition to the proposal, and we intend to take an appeal to VCAT.
“As we’ve done from the outset, we’re constantly reviewing the community feedback on our plans and will consider further modifications to the proposal.”
Ryman paid $40 million for the 8.9 hectare former Melbourne Business School site which is outside the urban growth boundary, on land intended as part of the green wedge, but within a special use zone. Its proposed $80 million development consists of six four-storey buildings, two four-storey wings attached to the existing mansion, three three-storey buildings, chapel and 362 car spaces. The buildings would house 272 apartments, including 55 assisted living units and 217 independent living units, and 124 aged care beds. Up to 400 people would live there.
The shire’s principal planner Hugh Pierce said in his report to the planning services committee that the proposed development represented a “substantial change to the subject site”.
The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the council’s unanimous rejection of the application “reflects the significant community concern about the appropriateness of the development”.
