Torquay lock-up bid

Alex de Vos
Victoria’s heritage body wants to lock up Torquay’s foreshore and Taylor Park from development, a council report has revealed.
A report tabled at a Surf Coast Shire meeting this week also earmarked Torquay’s Sea View Villa, the town’s public hall and former butcher shop, St Luke’s Anglican Church, Torquay Uniting Church and the public foreshore caravan park for listings on Heritage Victoria’s register.
But Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association president Spencer Leighton said he doubted Heritage Victoria listings would prevent eventual development of the town’s “iconic open spaces”.
“It would be nice if you could lock up these sites but I don’t think a heritage listing is going to do anything – it’s got to have more teeth than that,” Mr Leighton said.
“We’ll always be fighting for Taylor Park – council never has enough car parks and they’ll look at car parks along The Esplanade in Taylor Park.
“We already lost a lot of open space and I think council needs to do more – a heritage overlay isn’t enough.”
Councillor Jim Tutt asked the shire to extend its call for public comment in response to Heritage Victoria’s proposal.
“I’ve been contacted by lots of people about the report and we need to ensure it’s understood and hear from all objectors,” he said.
“People have different views on areas of significance and I think we need to extend the submission process.”
Cr Libby Coker backed the extension call.
“It’s important we preserve areas of significance but we have to consider property owners,” Cr Coker said.
Last year the Independent revealed that residents feared proposed redevelopment of Torquay’s Bowls Club and angling clubroom at Fisherman’s Beach could eat into Taylor Park.
Surf Coast Ratepayers and Community Association’s Les Tyack expected the projects to lead to development of a car parking complex in Taylor Park.
But Great Ocean Road Coast Committee ruled out further development of Taylor Park.