'Enormous' coastal development approved by Warrnambool City Council

A 58-metre x 13-metre dwelling to be used as a host farm on rural land on Hopkins Point Road got the green light 5-2 on Monday night.

Mayor Richard Ziegeler said while he had "misgivings" about the proposal, he believed he couldn't oppose it because it was legal.

"The size of the dwelling proposed is enormous," he said. "It doesn't sit right with me but it's completely legal and I don't see how I can oppose it."

Councillor Otha Akoch, who seconded the motion, echoed similar sentiments.

"I think there is no legal grounds to stop the development of that area," he said.

Cr Debbie Arnott said she was also concerned about the size of the dwelling.

"The application is for a contemporary dwelling nestled into the sand dunes," she said.

"The dimensions of the building are astronomical .

"It's a very large building and personally one that I don't find all that attractive.

"However, it is comparable to other buildings in the area, including a neighbouring property."

Cr Arnott said she believed the applicant had addressed a number of issues outlined in the five objections to the proposal. "I do make note that the dwelling has been moved a further 14 metres away from the sand dunes, which is a good thing," she said.

Cr Angie Paspaliaris, who voted against the motion along with Cr Ben Blain, said she believed the proposed dwelling was too large.

"I think it is really, really big and I do tend to think that it's a little over the top in terms of visual amenity for the area," she said.

The proposal received five objections, with issues raised including the application was not aligned to the farming zone, the proposal threatens to compromise the viability of the rural land and scenic qualities of the coastline, the application may impact the dunes and native animals and birdlife, including the hooded plover.

Another issue raised was that the design was not appropriate and would impact on the area's visual amenity.

In response to concerns the proposal may compromise the viability of the rural land and scenic qualities of the coastline, the applicant stated the dwelling had been designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, incorporating an entirely glazed exterior with a green roof.

"Any impact on the viability of the rural land would be off-set by the intensification of the productive areas of the site and operation of the host farm," the applicant stated.

"The scale of the host farm being comparable to a bed and breakfast but the intent of value-adding to the land and local tourism economy."

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