By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY’S anti-development lobby is protesting plans for an ALDI supermarket overlooking the start of the Great Ocean Road.
More than 850 people have ‘liked’ the Stop Aldi in old Torquay campaign since it began on Facebook last week.
The site’s anonymous administrators have accused Surf Coast Shire officers of “grossly misleading” councillors on the proposal, ignoring recent planning scheme changes and relying on “outdated” consultant advice advocating the site for a supermarket.
ALDI said after announcing its plan two months ago that Torquay shoppers had a “strong appetite” for the company. ALDI called on residents to support its supermarket proposal.
The store would create 15 to 20 jobs and open in 2017 if approved.
Torquay already has three supermarkets, with a second Woolworths proposed for a new commercial precinct in the town’s north.
Objectors argue on the Facebook page that the ALDI store will be a “concrete slab building at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road”.
The campaign, backed by flyers and posters around Torquay, including in opposition supermarkets, also argues that the supermarket will cause traffic congestion from the loss of car parking. The building would be sited on a car park and adjoining vacant land between the Great Ocean Rd on one side and Rudd Ave on the other.
ALDI should instead build in the town’s northern business park, the Facebook page suggests.
“Why is the council ignoring the law?” the campaign asks.
“Amendment 66C – approved by the State Government Planning Minister on 20 March 2014 – specifically lays out the strategy for Torquay.
“Amendment 66C states that the Torquay town centre, Gilbert St, and north Torquay are the preferred options for both commercial containment and future growth.
“There is no mention to expand the Bell St tourist precinct. That means no rezoning of surrounding residential land for commercial purposes, particularly into the side streets like Rudd Ave.”
ALDI has yet to make an application for a planning permit. The first step is to rezone the land, with Surf Coast councillors asking at their May meeting for more information from the applicant before seeking the Planning Minister’s approval to exhibit a rezoning application.
Council wants additional information including a traffic impact assessment, stormwater management plan and assessments of noise and parking impacts.
Torquay residents have previously opposed development of chain stores in town along the Great Ocean Road, including Bunnings and a McDonald’s restaurant. Both eventually won planning approval.
