A COMMUNITY group is calling on the state government to commission an independent review of the landslide risks associated with a proposed $25m luge and tourism development at Arthurs Seat.
Save Our Seat has urged Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to order a peer review of the developer’s landslide risk assessment, arguing it would be “reckless” to proceed without independent scrutiny considering the findings from the McCrae landslide board of inquiry.
The proposed development by Arthurs Seat Eagle (ASE), which is currently being fast-tracked under the state’s development facilitation program, includes a rollercoaster-style luge running beneath the existing gondola on the steep northern slopes of Arthurs Seat.
The site falls within an erosion management overlay and is classified as having a medium to high landslide risk.
Save Our Seat spokesperson Kylie Greer said the findings from the McCrae inquiry exposed serious gaps in how state and local governments managed geotechnical hazards.
“This proposal is being decided directly by the Minister, not the local council, which means it skips the usual safeguard of an independent peer review,” Greer said.
“The McCrae inquiry found there was a lack of technical expertise within the Victorian government to assess landslide risk, which is a major alarm bell.
“After the many failings identified in connection with the McCrae landslide, Victorians deserve better than another planning shortcut.”
The McCrae landslide board of inquiry concluded the landslide, which occurred on 14 January, was caused by a burst water main owned by South East Water, and that the authority together with Mornington Peninsula Shire did not act with sufficient urgency or coordination to reduce the risk even though they were unaware the concerns were due to a burst water main.
One of inquiry’s key recommendation (Recommendation 26) called for stronger oversight, clearer planning controls, adoption of Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) guidelines and a consistent approach to managing residual community risk.
Save Our Seat said a peer review of developer reports was widely recognised as best practice, with several councils already requiring such reviews for projects in areas covered by an erosion management overlay.
“Independent peer review isn’t a luxury, it’s the minimum standard for public safety,” Greer said.
“Without independent scrutiny, there’s a real risk of another significant landslide event. Given that this is a fun ride that would be used by thousands of users each year, the consequences could be disastrous.
“No responsible government should approve a project like this without independent review.”
According to the group, Arthurs Seat shared the same fragile geological conditions as McCrae, including steep slopes, weathered soils, and a history of landslides and rock falls.
With the government expected to open a two-week public submission period in early November, Save Our Seat has written to Kilkenny requesting an independent geotechnical expert review into an engineering report by Intrax Consulting Engineers (engaged by ASE) before a final decision is made.
The planned redevelopment has been deemed a “project of significance” under Victorian planning provisions and is currently being reviewed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) as part of the Request for Information (RFI) stage.
This phase has seen the DTP seek further information to thoroughly assess ASE’s proposed masterplan against stringent criteria including improved traffic management, bushfire mitigation, erosion prevention, wildlife protection, and environmental sustainability.
The state government has been contacted for comment as to whether the group’s request will be considered.
As reported by The News in August, ASE stated several “constructive suggestions for the ongoing improvement of the upgrade project have been incorporated into the masterplan’s reworked design” (Eagle plans scaled back but community still concerned, The News 26/8/25).
In relation to the landslide risks, a statement from ASE last week said, “In response to DTP’s request, ASE engaged respected and independent geo-engineering firm, Intrax Consulting Engineers, to conduct a detailed, site-specific geotechnical risk assessment tailored to the unique characteristics of the site”.
“The report assessment recognises that, like many natural slopes in the region, some unmitigated conditions could present risk, along with providing recommendations of engineering interventions that dramatically reduce these risks,” it said.
“With these mitigation strategies in place and in line with best-practice safety thresholds and improving the natural slope conditions that would otherwise be left unmanaged, the report concluded that with various mitigation strategies in place, the risk level for property is reduced to very low to low and for people is below the typically tolerable threshold.”
Meanwhile, an artist’s impression of the tower, which was posted on social media by ASE showing a proposed height increase to 34 metres but featuring a slimmer form, shocked concerned locals with them stating it was inappropriate and out of character for the area.
Greer said the artist’s impression was the “single strongest demonstration” that the viewing tower was totally out of keeping with the heritage values and natural beauty of the Arthurs Seat summit.
“It’s beyond belief that the Eagle can think a tower of this size and scale is a good idea,” she said.
“The more that people learn about the Eagle’s proposal, the more people seem to hate it.”
In response, ASE said the proposed observation tower “celebrates a significant part of the region’s history for a new generation, once again offering uninterrupted 360-degree views across Port Phillip Bay and Western Port”.
“It is a modern and world class reinstatement of the original lookout tower that graced the summit for decades.
“The new design has been devised to be more environmentally, contextually and visually sensitive than the original. Its elegant, gumtree-inspired twisted form has been thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural landscape, creating a space that invites visitors to connect with the peninsula’s breathtaking scenery.
“The Gateway Experience Centre at our base station will enable visitors to delve deeper into the landscape’s stories and significance.”
Save Our Seat is organising a picnic at Arthurs Seat on 9 November for the community to gather peacefully to find out more about the proposal and how they can help stop it.
This will be held from 2-4pm in the barbecue area at the Arthurs Seat summit. There will be a free sausage sizzle, artmaking, walks, and plans on display.
First published in the Mornington News – 4 November 2025
