The Peninsula Hot Springs, a popular wellness destination, is facing community backlash and legal challenges regarding the expansion of its facilities, particularly an unauthorized car park. Residents near the hot springs express concerns about the transformation of the once-tranquil area into a bustling, noisy hub, deviating from its initial purpose as a quiet retreat. The increased patronage, extended operational hours, and introduction of alcohol have disrupted the peaceful ambiance, replacing the sounds of nature with music, chatter, and revelry. This shift has sparked criticism, with some residents feeling the hot springs has evolved into an “event space” rather than a wellness center.
The core of the dispute centers on the hot springs’ application for a permit to formalize an existing overflow and staff parking area. This application has been met with 66 objections from residents, citing concerns about increased visitor numbers, potential impact on cultural heritage sites, bushfire risk, and damage to the local environment, including wildlife and vegetation. Adding fuel to the fire is the revelation that the hot springs had been using the land as a car park without the necessary permits, adopting a “don’t ask permission, beg forgiveness” approach according to one resident. This perceived disregard for regulations has further eroded trust between the hot springs management and the local community.
The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council ultimately rejected the car park permit application, leading the hot springs to appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). In the interim, the council has taken steps to enforce compliance, lodging an application with VCAT to compel the hot springs to cease using the land as a car park. Once this is achieved, the council plans to collaborate with the hot springs on a remediation plan for the site. This legal wrangling highlights the tension between the hot springs’ desire to expand its operations and the community’s concerns about the impact on their quality of life and the surrounding environment.
The Peninsula Hot Springs maintains that its intention is to provide a sanctuary for relaxation and connection with nature. They argue the proposed car park is necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of their facilities, and that the application seeks to formalize an existing, albeit unauthorized, parking area. However, their previous actions and the scale of the expansion have sown seeds of doubt among residents. The hot springs management has declined to comment further on the specifics of the case while the VCAT review is underway, but have expressed their commitment to working with the council to find solutions that balance community needs with their focus on wellness tourism.
Councillor David Gill expressed concern about the repeated amendments to the original planning permit granted to the Peninsula Hot Springs, suggesting that the current state of affairs has deviated significantly from the initial vision for a health and wellbeing center. This sentiment reflects the broader community concern that the hot springs is prioritizing commercial growth over its original mandate, potentially at the expense of the surrounding environment and the wellbeing of residents. The ongoing legal battle underscores the challenges faced by local councils in balancing development and community interests, particularly in sensitive environmental and residential areas.
The case of the Peninsula Hot Springs exemplifies the complex issues that can arise when development projects expand beyond their initial scope. The clash between commercial interests, community concerns, and environmental protection highlights the need for careful planning, transparent communication, and a commitment to sustainable practices. The outcome of the VCAT review will significantly impact the future of the Peninsula Hot Springs and the surrounding area, setting a precedent for similar developments in the region. It remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached that satisfies both the hot springs’ desire for growth and the community’s desire for preservation and tranquility.
