AN application for a theme park on green wedge land at Boneo has attracted 98 objections and 36 letters of support.
Although submissions to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council regarding the $47.7 million theme park and recreation centre closed in late June, objectors are hoping for a public forum to air their grievances about the “inappropriate” proposal.
Neighbour Simon Stuart said the 80-hectare property operating as The Ranch horse riding and camping centre, is surrounded by broad acre grazing farms and market gardens, and the development would “change the character of the area permanently”.
It is believed the revamped park will accommodate up to 700 people at a time – close to double what is now permitted – with plans for two wake boarding dams, artificial snow, a skateboard park, convention centre, seven-day liquor licence (until 9pm) and 105 dwellings.
The closing date for submission was originally 13 July, but that was extended to 26 July.
The application proposes to amend the existing planning permit to incorporate the use and development of a leisure and recreation facility, buildings and works, the sale and consumption of liquor, the development of a dwelling, use of group accommodation, use and development of a function centre and restaurant, advertising signage, create/alter access to a transport zone 2 and the removal of vegetation at 810 Boneo Road, Boneo.
Among other things, new planning permissions sought in the application include building works, native vegetation removal, removal of roadside vegetation, use of land for sale and consumption of liquor, and changing the use of the chapel/restaurant to dining hall for school camps.
The site is within an area of Aboriginal Cultural Sensitivity.
First published in the Mornington News – 1st August 2023
