Debate rages over 59-lot subdivision

PHILLIP Island residents appear to be divided over a 59 lot subdivision planned for 273-297 Church Street, Cowes.

The application, now live for viewing on Bass Coast Shire’s website, proposes a residential development on a 3.659-hectare property.

According to a report lodged with the shire, this would see a residential yield of approximately 16 lots per hectare, with 59 standard and medium destiny lots having an average size of 388m2.
The site is located on the south side of Church Street and the east side of the unmade Bellavista Road. 

The application had received 19 objections as of last week, but it attracted a significant amount of attention on social media via the Phillip Island Community Notice Board.

Some users were strongly in favour of it, commenting:

“I’m on 360m2 in Rhyll. Love it…easy to manage. Awesome little community and very appealing. Nothing wrong with it. I see this development as an awesome opportunity for the younger home buyer and also for an investor to house the huge list of tenants looking for homes,” one user said.

“I think this estate looks good. Some blocks around 500m2 and the smaller ones are a bit over 302. Excellent sizes for young people trying to enter the property market and not be in a unit with body corporate. Have a look elsewhere and you’ll see this is the new normal,” another stated. 

However, there were also plenty of rebuttals. 

“An absolute disgrace if this is approved. Where is the allowance for vegetation, park area for children, amenities, the roadways are narrow and will not allow emergency vehicles or garbage trucks. Totally inconsistent with community standards and persons who support this are delusional. This is not what Cowes living standards are about.”

“How many will become holiday rentals and Airbnb? That's why there's a shortage of rentals at the moment. A lot of homeowners deciding not to do long term rentals. Our next door has been a long-term rental for the whole 8 years we've been on the Island, now it’s a holiday rental or bnb. Also, you already can hardly move on the roads at this time of the year, if they don't plan major road upgrades it’s going to be bedlam with large housing estate proposals going forward.”

To view the application, visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/building-planning/advertised-planning-applications