Green light for Ventnor farm attraction
A new farm attraction, offering a food cooperative, cooking classes and beekeeping workshops, was approved by council.
Ventnor looks set to get a new farm attraction, offering a food cooperative, cooking classes and beekeeping workshops, after Bass Coast Shire councillors approved a planning permit.
The permit for a function centre at 46 McHaffies Lane received 11 objections and was approved with conditions, reducing the number of patrons from 60 to 40.
Following concerns by neighbours, including about noise, the permit also requires specific hours of operation and a specific number of patrons at any one time, as well as an increase in the number of on-site car spaces, and possible acoustic assessment.
Rommy and Katie Lamaro run Five Acre farm on McHaffies Lane in Ventnor, planning to create an event space inside an existing shed.
Katie has set up a commercial kitchen to run her business The Pantry Phillip Island, making grazing platters and take away boxes, as well as grazing tables for weddings and events.
In addition, the Lamaros have started construction of three cabins, with sustainable features.
The property is on the site of one of the most historic on Phillip Island, a sheep run for early settlers the McHaffie brothers; and the land was used for one of the first artificial insemination farms in Australia.
Cr Pam Rothfield said the applicant had “done a heck of a job” responding to objector concerns.
She said the shire’s planning scheme encouraged this type of agricultural tourism and following the economic fallout from Covid, “we should accept plans done in beautiful taste”.
Cr Michael Whelan agreed saying the Phillip Island and San Remo Visitor Economy Strategy supported these “tasteful” projects.
He acknowledged resident concerns about live music and the fact McHaffies Lane was a narrow dirt road, “but I think these are manageable through the recommendations by shire officers”
"I’m happy the recommendations aren’t too restrictive for a young couple trying to make a go of it,” Cr Whelan said.
Cr Julian Brown urged the applicants to be mindful of surrounding farm livestock in noise limits.
When Rommy and Katie took over the property, it had two rundown dwellings built in the ‘70s and old shedding.
The family have since transformed the property, planting an orchard with more than 90 fruit and nut trees, an extensive vegetable garden, as well as hundreds of native plants.
The dwellings have been renovated, with the second run as a farm stay since Easter 2019.
