An application for a planning permit for the resort on this residential-rural fringe site was submitted to CoGG in December 2019. In July 2020, CoGG rejected the planning application.
The Developer thanks all the people who sent letters of support and objection letters. As expected, the main objection was the traffic in Tower Road. CoGG planners did not acknowledge the Developer’s suggestion to move the entrance to Pigdon Street. Other issues raised via the objection process could also be mitigated. Many of the objectors were also in favour of the resort for its economic benefits.
Portarlington has missed an important opportunity for long-term economic, social and cultural growth, in particular for people looking for work-life balance. It is estimated that the resort would have created many full time and part-time jobs for local people. Statistically, half the letters to CoGG were in favour of the development for the flow-on economics and long-term employment opportunities.
Site selection was the main reason for CoGG rejecting the planning application. CoGG stated that the resort would visually impact the Ridgeline, and would compromise the rural landscape. CoGG also stated that this large resort should be located proximate to the town centre in an area currently under-utilised. Disappointingly, the local ward Councillors chose not to be involved in this opportunity for the local community.