Battle for Torquay lifestyle begins at Spring Creek Action groups form

Alex de Vos
“Outraged” residents have formed a series of community action groups to fight Surf Coast Shire’s plans to more than double Torquay’s population.
The groups have vowed to oppose the shire’s controversial Spring Creek Urban Growth Framework Plan for up to 6400 new homes in the town’s west, with development to start in 2011.
The plan covers a 600-hectare area bordered by Anglesea, Grossmans, Duffields and Great Ocean roads.
The plan would provide enough new housing, including 1280 “affordable” homes, for about 14,000 new residents.
Torquay and Jan Juc have an existing population of about 10,000, according to the 2006 Census.
Speak Up For Spring Creek member and former Surf Coast councillor John Foss labelled the plan “unsustainable”.
“We’d like to see appropriate development, not medium or high-density but something that’s suitable for that area,” Mr Foss said.
“The Spring Creek area is a habitat for a lot of wildlife and the development would completely destroy its homes.
“It’s not sustainable from a community, social or environmental perspective.”
Other groups fighting the proposal include a Grossmans Road residents’ group and Save the Spring Creek Valley.
Torquay trader Grant Forbes said the plan would wreck the town’s coastal lifestyle for existing permanent residents.
“People in Torquay don’t want this kind of growth,” Mr Forbes said.
“It’s already getting too busy at our beaches and car parks. This development will significantly change the character and feel of Torquay.”
Mr Forbes called on the shire to run a referendum on the urban growth plan.
“People don’t want to live in a city and it’s being forced on them,” he said.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association president Spencer Leighton slammed the proposed location of the growth corridor.
“We’re very unhappy,” he said.
“I think it’s a stupid place for a housing development. If we must have this extra growth then it should be out toward Blackgate Road.
“The Spring Creek hill area should be a national park.”
Surf Coast Shire mayor Libby Mears said she was “pleased with level of community interest in the project”.
“The shire welcomes community input in the beginning of what will be a long process,” Ms Mears said.
Submissions on the Spring Creek Urban Growth Framework Plan close next Friday.