By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY Green has called on Surf Coast Shire to publicly release independent findings into the controversial C66 planning scheme as soon as it receives the report.
Cameron Shephard, a landowner in the proposed Spring Creek residential community, said the shire should commit to sharing the report online “with everyone who cares about the future of Torquay”.
“It is in the public interest for council to make the panel report public as soon as it is received,’’ Mr Shephard said.
“If it chooses not to, we need to start asking what it’s hiding.’’
The Independent forwarded a statement by Torquay Green to the Surf Coast Shire. Spokesman Matt Novacevski said the report had not been received yet.
Surf Coast mayor Libby Coker did not reply to Independent queries on the report’s release before going to print.
Two months ago, Surf Coast council voted to tell the independent panel its stance against housing in the C66 area, west of Duffields Road, remained unchanged – effectively the same stance as the previous council’s 2011 decision against residential development of Spring Creek.
Torquay Green said its plans were sited on land designated for residential growth for 30 years.
It argued it would ensure the restoration and protection of Spring Creek, the return of Spring Creek to public ownership, and develop new community assets such as an art centre, schools and a childcare centre.
Mr Shephard said the community deserved to know what the report recommended.
“Once the panel report has been received council may accept, amend or abandon the amendment, providing it with a chance to rights its wrongs and fix the mistakes they have made by failing to plan for growth,” he said.
