’Upper-class’ arrivals say: ’Torquay tops’

BEACH-LOVING visitors and sea-changers are increasingly choosing the Surf Coast over destinations east of Port Phillip Bay due to improved road access, according to a Deakin University property expert.
Professor Richard Reed said a fast, toll-free trip between Melbourne and Torquay was allowing the town to become “another Portsea or Sorrento”.
“This has also been assisted by the increased congestion on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay where the extension of the Eastern Freeway has dramatically caused more traffic congestion,” Prof Reed said.
“Over time the corridor between Melbourne and Geelong will become built-up in a similar manner to the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor.”
Prof Reed said a transition from a Geelong-centric city to a Melbourne-Geelong corridor would raise the profile of the region and increase demand.
Recently released data from Australian Bureau of Statistics listed Newtown, Torquay and Geelong among regional Victoria’s top-five highest income-earning areas.
Average household income was $56,512 in Newtown, $48,553 in Torquay and $48,528 in Geelong.
Prof Reed said Torquay was now perceived as an “upper-class suburb”.
“Torquay is a preferred location on the coast, which is reflected in higher property prices in recent years. This demand can be linked back to residents who are working in Geelong or Melbourne.
“Torquay has been substantially helped by the opening of the Geelong bypass, which has saved substantial time for commuters.
“In addition, Torquay has an international profile and is now perceived as a desirable location, which is also supported by Australia’s strong demand for living next to the ocean.”