Donations to help us fight this development need to be made via our gofundme page and NOT ON THIS SITE AFTER SIGNING THE PETITION.

 

Bass Coast Shire Council has given a big city developer approval to build a multi-storey residential hotel in the centre of our foreshore.

The South Gippsland Conservation Society believes THIS IS WRONG and that INVERLOCH DESERVES BETTER!!!

WHEN WILL OUR COUNCIL UNDERSTAND THAT OUR FORESHORE IS THE SOUL OF INVERLOCH?

(SGCS has objected to VCAT and will be presenting our case during a 5-day Hearing starting 30 January 2023. By signing this petition AND providing reasons for doing so, you will be helping us understand what is important to the Inverloch community and why you consider this type of development is WRONG!
Donations may also be made via the links at the bottom of this page.)

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THE SOUL OF INVERLOCH IS OUR FORESHORE
If you have ever been near the Inverloch foreshore, you will have seen people walking or cycling, exercising their dogs, swimming and sun-bathing, taking photos, fishing or picnicking with friends and family.

The foreshore is our “happy place”. It connects us to the Inlet and the ocean and for many it is the reason we live here or visit.

And yet Bass Coast Shire Council doesn’t seem to appreciate what everyone in Inverloch seems to treasure!

WHAT WE VALUE
Coastal towns like Inverloch are framed as being opposite to Melbourne and for good reason. They have local charm and character and provide respite. They differ from places like the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise where inappropriate development has changed the coastal experience.

In September last year, engagement sessions conducted as part of the Bass Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape strategy found that Inverloch residents valued “beaches, views, settlement character, vegetation, community feel, natural landscapes and recreation options”.

Unsurprisingly, threats to those values included overdevelopment and planning responses and controls.

No “Gold Coast” on our Foreshore

WE DESERVE BETTER!
It defies logic that nine months later, in July 2022, approval is granted to construct a multi-storey, residential hotel on the old Inverloch Marine site at 2-4 The Esplanade, comprising 42 serviced apartments, one retail tenancy and one food and beverage tenancy.

An application for a fourth-floor rooftop bar/café was refused permission but the developer wants it reinstated.

The fact that the site is being redeveloped is not contentious. The land is privately owned and has never been a part of the foreshore reserve. What is contentious is our Council’s disregard for Inverloch’s “coastal village feel” and the manipulation of the relevant planning criteria to allow the construction of such a building immediately adjacent to The Glade and Rainbow Park!

GONE FOREVER OR A LATE REPRIEVE FROM VCAT?
The South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) says this development is wrong and in breach of Planning Scheme requirements. So too did 60 other objectors who made submissions to the Shire opposing the proposal. But a Notice of Decision to grant a permit was issued and SGCS has taken the fight to VCAT.

SGCS needs the support of every person opposed to “ambitious design statements” that erode our “coastal village feel” and lead to overdevelopment and interference with our foreshore public space.

What is at stake is the “Soul of Inverloch” plus what we expect our Council to uphold and respect.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO
SGCS will present our case at a five-day VCAT Hearing that starts 30 January 2023.

We have a Once in A Century opportunity to stop this development and GET THIS RIGHT! 

You can help by adding your signature to this petition and donating funds to our campaign in support of any legal and other expertise we might need.

Comments about how you feel this development or others impact Inverloch’s “coastal village feel” will be very helpful.

PS. If you care about Inverloch, help us stop this development by donating your time, expertise or funds. You can contact us at info@sgcs.org.au

Donations to help us fight this development need to be made via our gofundme  page and NOT ON THIS SITE AFTER SIGNING THE PETITION.

 

PPS. Thanks in advance for your support!!!