Great Ocean Road tiny home development at Peterborough met with mixed response

Tiny Away Australia, a subsidiary of Singapore's Big Tiny, is seeking approval to build 30 tiny homes on a six-hectare site on Timboon-Peterborough Road.

The $2.6 million proposal aims to fill what the company says is a critical gap in tourism accommodation in the Great Ocean Road region.

It includes a double-storey reception building, check-in facilities, a laundry and viewing area, a shared activity building, 30 movable tiny homes, internal roads and 37 parking spaces.

READ MORE: Great Ocean Road land earmarked for $2.6M tiny home tourism venture

Myers Planning Group associate Dan Pech issued a statement on behalf of the proponent.

"The land at 1518 Timboon-Peterborough Road, Peterborough is a well-positioned site for the 'tiny home'-style tourist accommodation proposal," he said.

"The proponent and operator have worked closely with industry experts, Corangamite Shire Council and public agencies to ensure the proposal responds well to relevant town planning, economic development, engineering, traffic, cultural heritage and environmental issues.

"The proponent respects that others have the right to comment on the proposal, and they eagerly await council's decision."

A group of objectors within the community say they are concerned the development will impact negatively on the environment.

Christine Norton, head of the newly-formed Sustainable Peterborough Alliance, said the nearby estuary is home to many species and should be protected.

"It's zoned for a reason," she said.

"It's extremely concerning to us and we feel it would set a dangerous precedent for development in the region if it passes.

"You only have to look at places like Torquay to see how developed it can become.

"People choose to live in certain areas because of the existing values and we are hoping council support them to maintain that for future generations."

Peterborough Residents Group vice president Carmel Mitchell, not connected to the alliance, remains neutral on the issue.

"Our job is just to get information out there so people can make their own minds up," she said.

"Some people are supportive as it will bring business into town, but they want to see it done properly.

"Then there are others who don't support it.

"Progress is going to happen eventually.

"Some comments to me have been that there is not enough tourist accommodation in the town.

"There's always two sides to the story, it's up to Corangamite Shire Council at the end of the day."

Kerry Vickers is a volunteer at Peterborough on two Birdlife Australia projects as well as a keen birdwatcher.

Over his five years documenting the Curdies River estuary he has recorded species including the red-capped plover, sharp-tailed sandpiper, red-necked stints, bar-tailed godwits, as well as pelicans and black swans.

He said he believed the biodiversity assessment undertaken by the proponent involved only a small amount of research and a single visit to the site.

He said it would impact a large section of the estuary and disturb the feeding, nesting and breeding of migratory and local birds.

"It's obvious that they rushed through the process, and simply did not do the work required for an accurate assessment of the 'ecological values' of the site," he said.

"To truly understand the value of the site (or any site) you really need to look at it over all four seasons for several years.

"While they couldn't reasonably be expected to spend years on the assessment, they could easily have expanded their limited research, undertaken a proper site survey and sought more comprehensive knowledge from local experts."

Another concern to opponents is a proposed 2.2 kilometre sewer line that will run from the site, across the bridge over the river and into an existing sewer manhole.

The proponent declined to respond to questions about the biodiversity assessment and sewer line.

Peterborough runs across two municipalities, with the area past Irvine Street, including the river and bridge under the jurisdiction of Corangamite Shire Council.

The development falls under Corangamite Shire.

Peterborough resident Barbara Mullen's home is on the Moyne Shire side of town and her house faces the development site some distance away across the Curdies Inlet.

She said she believed Moyne Shire residents should have a say too.

"There's a line on a map of a piece of paper that says we're Moyne here and Corangamite over there, but in this situation it's not relevant," she said.

"It's going to have an affect on the township of Peterborough as a whole."

A decision is expected to be made by Corangamite Shire at next month's council meeting.

The shire's sustainable development director Justine Linley said the application was undergoing a planning assessment.

"Councillors will undertake an on-site inspection and an assessment and recommendation will be prepared," Ms Linley said.

"The application is likely to be presented for a decision at the March 2021 council meeting.

"We're aware of the level of community concern. Thirty-seven objections and one supporting submission have been received. They will all be considered at the meeting."

Ms Linley said issues raised include planning policy framework, appropriateness of the proposed use of the land, amenity impacts, environmental risk and impact, traffic impact and management, economic and net community benefit and potential future expansion.

"At this stage, it is too early to comment on specific issues because the assessment is still under way," she said.

"This is a thorough process and the assessment will cover a range of relevant planning matters, whilst input will also be provided from government agencies and authorities."

Submissions can be made up until the date of council's decision.

The application can be viewed here.

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