By CHERIE DONNELLAN
“CONVENTIONAL density housing” in the Spring Creek valley was “good planning” according to the planning expert who prepared the controversial Spring Creek 2040 plan.
The evidence was presented at an independent panel hearing into Surf Coast Shire’s planning amendment C66, leaving property owners without anticipated permits for planned developments.
Managing director of urban planning firm Hansen, David Barnes, prepared an expert witness statement supporting Spring Creek property owners and development firm Rural Estates Pty Ltd.
Mr Barnes’ 57-page submission said that despite Torquay and Jan Juc residents opposing development in the valley “the reality is that Torquay/Jan Juc is a designated growth centre and has a long and consistent history of rapid urban development”.
He also told the panel “low or rural density residential development” between Duffields Rd and Bellbrae’s eastern border at Anglesea Rd was a “logical and defensible long-term boundary”.
The Independent reported in April that council began plans to “lock up” Spring Creek by setting Torquay’s urban boundary at Duffields Rd after two failed development attempts and four years of fierce community opposition.
Mr Barnes noted the opposition in his statement: “[The residents’] response and opposition to such change is not uncommon in such a rapidly changing area.”
But he countered community concerns that development was “inappropriate”.
“From my involvement in the Spring Creek project, none of the background work that was undertaken suggested that the land was not appropriate, was not suitable, or had environment or landscape values that should preclude it from consideration from well-planned and sustainable form of urban development.”
The independent panel hearings will continue from next week with various speakers representing creek landowners, Surf Coast residents and business owners.
