Eco-tourism proposal for Ventnor

AN AMBITIOUS multi-million-dollar proposal for an eco-tourism retreat at 115 Kitty Millers Bay Road, Ventnor has been submitted with Bass Coast Shire.

The planning permit, which is now live on the shire’s website, proposes ‘a new regional eco-tourism retreat and proposes works intended to regenerate the Kitty Miller Coastal Wetlands into a local attraction’.

According to a planning report, it includes a group accommodation facility with ancillary restaurant and information centre, as well as supporting earthworks and roadworks, and a selection of buildings to accommodate up to a maximum of 100 guests at any one time.

The site is an irregular shape following the contours of the Kitty Miller Road Wetland and has a large site area of approximately 35.79ha.

The site is currently vacant, with no structures or sealed surfaces evident on the site.

The proposal includes the following aspects:

▪ A centrally located ‘Gateway House’ containing an entry, ancillary Information Centre an ancillary restaurant with associated kitchen and amenities.  

▪ A total of 29 group accommodation units with capacity for a maximum of 96 guests, including: ‒ three (3) four-bedroom units (located within the Gateway House) ‒ one (1) four-bedroom House (located on an existing island within the wetlands) ‒ eleven (11) two and three-bedroom cabins ‒ fourteen (14) one-bedroom Eco Tents (elevated around the wetlands)

▪ A boardwalk extending from the Gateway Building around and into the wetlands, including a central deck area with swimming pool and terminating bird hide. 

▪ New sealed roads throughout the site for vehicle access, with two new vehicle access points from Kitty Millers Bay Road (1 x two-way entry / exit and 1 x one-way exit). 

▪ Gravel paths for pedestrian access throughout the site. 

▪ 48 car parking spaces and 3 bus parking spaces, inclusive of two accessible car parking spaces. 

It is estimated that the construction of the development will be $8 million.

For more information, visit https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/building-planning/advertised-plans-and-planning-register/advertised-planning-applications