Rally sees red over the creek

Alex de Vos
Torquay musician Xavier Rudd will lead a rally this weekend against Surf Coast Shire’s plans to more than double the town’s population.
The internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist said Red Rally would help the community understand the impact of thousands of new houses proposed for the Spring Creek area.
“The event will put pressure on council to make sure the community is involved and make it accountable for water and environmental issues,” Mr Rudd said.
“It’s about protecting this powerful place, which is a gift we’re very lucky to have.”
Speak Up For Spring Creek’s David Bell said the rally would highlight overwhelming community opposition to the shire’s plan.
“It’s such a huge issue on a number of levels,” Mr Bell said.
“We have major concerns about the sustainability of development, especially when it’s in a green field. If you start pouring more and more people into Torquay, the pressure on our coastal parks and surfing spots will be significant.”
Mr Bell said Mr Rudd would perform at the rally, while residents and lobby group leaders would speak.
“We want to show the strength of our cause and that we don’t want councillors turning Torquay into an urban sprawl,” he said.
Mr Bell urged protesters to wear red to Sunday’s event.
The Spring Creek plan proposes 6400 dwellings for 14,000 residents in a 600-hectare area bordered by Anglesea, Grossmans, Duffields and Great Ocean roads.
The rally begins 6pm Sunday at Spring Creek Common, Mr Bell said.