Artists Impression
VCAT greenlights mixed-use development near golf course
A three-storey commercial complex in the heart of the Sanctuary Lakes estate in Point Cook has been approved by VCAT after Wyndham City Council’s decision to refuse the application was overturned. The Tribunal set aside the council’s refusal and approved the approval following a hearing in March 2025.
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Sanctuary Lakes Village Pty Ltd lodged the proposal for 76 Greg Norman Drive, Point Cook — a 4,189 square metre parcel of land directly adjacent to the golf course and residential housing. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) granted the planning permit on 30 April 2025, despite strong opposition from nearby residents.
The application seeks approval for a commercial development that includes a medical centre, pharmacy, six food and drink outlets, a convenience store, bottle shop, two retail tenancies, and two office spaces. It also includes associated car parking, signage display, a two-lot subdivision, and permission to use the site for the sale and consumption of liquor. The proposal also includes 57 on-site parking spaces located to the rear of the building.
Crucially, the permit also allows for the consumption of liquor on the premises, which has raised additional concerns from residents about increased noise, operating hours, and changes to the estate’s quiet residential character.
The land is zoned for mixed use, and VCAT determined that the proposed combination of retail, health, accommodation, and office services aligns with local and state planning objectives. The Tribunal noted the site had been earmarked for development since the early stages of the estate’s creation and supported the need for localised services that would reduce the need for travel outside the community.
In his decision, Senior Member Michael Nelthorpe stated the proposal represents a “moderate intensification” that was consistent with the site’s zoning and strategic planning context. While he acknowledged resident concerns about traffic, building scale, and neighbourhood impact, he found these issues did not warrant refusal of the application.
The inclusion of liquor consumption — likely tied to the café component — will require responsible management, though detailed conditions around operating hours and noise mitigation are expected to be formalised in the final permit.
Construction dates have not yet been announced.
