By Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan

There has been much talk in our community about the development of a proposed hotel and apartment complex adjacent to the new Cultural Centre in Cowes.

The development proposal at 85-87 Thompson Avenue was originally rejected by Council, but it has now been accepted after significantly revised plans for the complex were developed between the proponents and the architects for Cowes Cultural Centre.

The changes resulted in a more integrated response between the Cultural Centre and hotel, also providing a great connection between the Transit Centre and Thompson Avenue, while allowing the project to stay economically viable. It included the removal of the fifth level and the number of residential apartments was reduced from eleven to five. Hotel rooms were cut from 46 to 43, reducing demand on off-site parking and providing an attractive frontage to Thompson Avenue.

The architect-designed and highly articulated building will contribute to a revitalised streetscape that reflects the emerging character of Cowes.

I understand the concerns expressed by objectors of the hotel and apartment complex, but this is the type of project that Cowes desperately needs – and the type of development Destination Phillip Island has been advocating for since I was a Board member in 2017.

Put simply, there is not enough hotel-style accommodation in the heart of Cowes. There are plenty of holiday and caravan parks, which are filled with families over holiday and long-weekend periods. But there are only a few, smaller options in Cowes for those seeking a couple of nights away or 4-star accommodation.

This development means day tripping tourists may stay in town for longer, enjoying our restaurants, cafes, walking trails and wineries.

The Cultural Centre will attract visitors all year round and as other tourist attractions in the Phillip Island region grow, such as the hot springs development, we need to give people more options for accommodation to compete with rival destinations.

It is one of many exciting, planned developments to reinvigorate Cowes which have flowed from the Cowes Activity Centre Plan. The Plan was created with significant community engagement from 2013-14. It found that people “want to bring the town back together and for it to not keep stretching” and “They want the streets of Cowes to be full of people.’’

This is happening. Since the approval of the Cowes Activity Centre Plan and subsequent changes to the planning scheme, Council has received several significant applications for developments in Cowes. These include the former Warley Hospital site and a number of mixed-use developments on Thompson Avenue, The Esplanade and Church Street. In addition, a development application for the Isle of Wight is anticipated this year.

Alongside private development, Council is reimagining Cowes streetscapes. Building on the recent development of the Jetty Triangle, the Public Realm Plan for Cowes will result in a new feel for the town, emphasising a walking and cycling town with easy access to amenities.

Bass Coast has been declared a Distinctive Area and Landscape by the Victorian government. This declaration and subsequent policy will result in increased pressure for infill development within our towns.

Council always aspires to ensure that these new infill developments provide for high quality urban design that activates townships and respects the unique coastal character of our region.