TORQUAY’S Spring Creek will be opened to developers following State Government’s approval of the controversial C66 planning scheme rezoning.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the rezoning would provide “long-term certainty” for the Surf Coast Shire council’s future growth plans in Torquay and Jan Juc, “not just for expanding outwards, but also for the growth of the town centre and local businesses”.
“We are putting in place the long term planning vision for Torquay –Jan Juc, and identifying sensible locations for growth, including a new local shopping centre at Torquay North,” Mr Guy said.
The C66 approval, however, flies in the face of council and widespread community opposition to opening Spring Creek and Surf Coast mayor Rose Hodge said the community would be disappointed at Minister Guy’s decision to rezone.
South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos said the Government agreed with an independent planning panel recommendation to retain the Torquay–Jan Juc settlement boundary at 1km west of Duffields Road, and rezoned the land within that boundary to “give certainty”.
“We have also ensured that local planning policy will preserve a permanent green break between Bellbrae and Torquay–Jan Juc,” he said.
“Council can now move forward with long-term strategies to preserve that landscape break in the Spring Creek Valley between the towns.”
But Cr Hodge said the council last December voted 4-3 to ask Mr Guy to set Torquay’s urban growth boundary at Duffields Road as part of its consideration of C66.
That decision had been based on extensive community consultation and the preparation of planning documents such as Sustainable Futures Torquay Jan Juc 2040, she said.
“This has been a difficult and complex issue, which has included extensive community involvement and strong views have been expressed,” Cr Hodge said.
“Council has listened and responded to the feedback received and I know many people will be disappointed by the decision of the Planning Minister.”
Cr Hodge said the council would examine the detail of the C66 decision.
“The minister has the final say on all planning amendments in Victoria, so the only available option to council and the community is to work with the decision that has been made,” she said.
“Given the decision has been announced today, we need time to look at the detail and work through the most appropriate course of action, including planning for the land 1km west of Duffields Road.”
Amendment C95 was also approved to implement panel recommendations to rezone land within 1km west of Duffields Road to Urban Growth Zone generally, and put in place a Special Use Zone to accommodate development of Christian College’s local campus.
“The Urban Growth Zone requires comprehensive structure planning that takes into account local needs,” Mr Katos said.
“Densities within this area will be lower than those found in other recent developments such as Armstrong Creek, to ensure that the relaxed lifestyle of Torquay –Jan Juc remains in focus.”
Mr Katos said a new campus for Christian College would “provide more local choices for P-12 education, along with associated child care provision”.
“This is a great win for local families having more options for their kids’ education, along with the recent opening of the $37.5 million Surf Coast Secondary College in Torquay North.”
