It was more than six years ago when Surf Shire Council agreed with a developer to build a purely residential estate of 404 standard density lots, 70 lots of higher density and a multi-unit site, in the seaside town of Torquay, 97km southwest of Melbourne.

Then New Zealand continuum of care provider Summerset Group bought the site in 2020. Its plan  (below) for a retirement village with 231 units, including 60 Assisted Living Apartments, and an 80-unit residential age care centre on 8.5ha of land, with the remaining land on the site, about 15.5ha, having 318 standard residential lots, 17 higher density lots and a multi-unit lot, was rejected after a concerted campaign against it.

Now the developer Briody Drive Projects Pty Ltd has lodged an amended application which would include 231 retirement village units, 80 residential aged care beds and 60 independent and assisted living apartments, and a residential subdivision.

Other changes include the addition of a 2000sqm drainage reserve to treat stormwater, the incorporation of a perimeter road along the eastern boundary and several provisions and notes.

According to the updated town planning report, prepared by town planning firm Tract for developer and dated 30 November 2023, the latest round of amendments marks the 13th revision of the project.

In a post on social media, the Greater Torquay Alliance, which opposes the development, again raised concerns.

Briody Estate West estate sits across Deep Creek from the $50 million Cypress Lane development, which would include a retirement village. Last year the shire approved a planning permit for Cypress Lane, but subsequently blocked the sale of a portion of land for its development.

Browse villages.com.au to see the very latest retirement and community homes.