By NOEL MURPHY
Surf Coast’s council should release an independent report on Torquay’s growth options as soon as councillors have been briefed, according to deputy mayor Rod Knockles.
“You receive a report like that, there’s clearly significant community interest in,” Cr Knockles said.
“My disposition is that once we’re properly briefed on it and our heads are straight on it, you’d release it to the public.
“I don’t think there’s any reason not to do so.”
Cr Knockles was responding to a developer’s demand in last week’s Independent for the shire to release the controversial C66 planning scheme amendment panel report immediately after receiving the document.
The panel concluded hearing submissions over two months ago.
Torquay Green said its development plans for the Spring Creek area were sited on land designated 30 years ago for residential growth. The company promised to restore and protect land around its development, return part of the site to public ownership and develop new community assets such as an art centre, schools and a child care facility.
Community opposition forced Surf Coast’s council to abandon two previous draft plans to open the creek land for development.
Cr Knockles stressed he was not favouring any party’s stance on C66 but believed it should be made public.
“I’ve no problem with people asking for the report to made public regardless of their position. My view would be that once council has been properly briefed, after that it ought to be released.”
Councillors voted in August to tell the independent panel council’s stance against housing in the C66 area, west of Duffields Rd, remained unchanged.
The decision effectively adopted the same stance as the previous council’s 2011 vote against residential development in Spring Creek.
Councillors will consider the panel report’s recommendations before sending the C66 amendment to Planning Minister Matthew Guy for approval.
