Oval bid anger

Jane Emerick
Battle lines are drawn across Torquay’s Grass Tree Park over “disgusting” council plans for a sport oval.
The region’s peak community environmental lobby group has slammed the plan for the site, on the west side of Surf Coast Highway near the entrance to Torquay.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros has demanded Surf Coast Shire find a new location for the oval.
“I think (the oval plan) is disgusting,” Ms Lindros said.
“This area is a remnant of the vegetation Torquay used to have and there’s not very much left.
“Council should be looking after Grass Tree Park and instead use cleared paddocks for ovals.”
The Independent revealed plans for the oval in October amid claims of a shortage of junior sport facilities in Torquay.
Councillor Keith Grossman raised the plan at a council meeting this week, saying the oval could host football, soccer and cricket.
Councillors voted unanimously to investigate whether to develop an oval in the park.
“If you look at Torquay in the 1980s we had 11 footy teams and four ovals.
“Now over 25 years later we have 55 teams and still four ovals,” Cr Grossman told the meeting.
“I think Grass Tree Park is an ideal place for a recreation area.”
Cr Grossman said the park was better for sport than another option at Connewarre.
“The surface (of Grass Tree Park) is loam-based and it’s a beautiful surface,” he said. “Connewarre is clay-based and it’s very hard and cracks. It also has small pebbles, which hurt if you fall on them.”
Cr Grossman said the park was also more convenient for Torquay sport clubs.
“Connewarre is 15 minutes from town – you’ be better off travelling to South Barwon,” he said.
Cr Grossman said Grass Tree Park was formerly a tip, so the land was suitable for development because it was not “virgin”.