Saying his prayers: Mayor Dean Webster, left, with shire shief executive officer Mark Davies at the opening of Wednesday night’s meeting
ERIN PEARSON
PLANNING Minister Matthew Guy has backed down from developing Spring Creek following a fierce Surf Coast Shire council meeting last night.
Mr Guy today said a ministerial amendment would no longer proceed and land supply would be sought elsewhere.
He said state government would now work with council on land supply issues after councillors voted to continue with its 2040 strategy without development at Spring Creek.
“After council’s vote last night, I have today expressed my desire to the Surf Coast Mayor that we continue to work together to resolve land supply and affordability issues in Torquay, but given council is willing to consider other locations apart from Spring Creek, a ministerial amendment is no longer necessary and will not proceed,” he said “The Victorian Coalition Government has repeatedly said we will listen to the community’s views and attitudes, and following the Council’s decision we have done so.”
The previous Labor State Government supported a development plan for over 6,000 homes in the Spring Creek, the current government 1,800.
Surf Coast councillors abandoned controversial plans for residential development in Spring Creek last night after voting 6-1 to remove the land from their 2040 growth plan.
The plan had foreshadowed 1550 building allotments in an area one-kilometre west of Duffields Road.
The 2040 plan was council’s second attempt for residential development in Spring Creek after abandoning an initial plan for 6000 lots in 2009.
Cr Ron Humphrey called council’s planning for the creek a “disaster from the get go”.
“Council has spent coming up to $500,000 on a strategy for Spring Creek. It’s a failure of council not having the ability to steer 2040 in the direction it wanted.
“I question council’s ability to plan anything for our future.”
Cr Rose Hodge raised a bushfire threat in voting to take Spring Creek out of the 2040 plan.
She warned the creek land would be the “wick” of any blaze that broke out in the area.
A Royal Commission hearing into Victoria’s Black Saturday fires identifed the valley as one of 53 bushfire hot-spots in the state, she said.
“I’ll never agree to a residential subdivision for 3000 people in a hot-spot.”
Cr Hodge said council should also show “true leadership” in backing community sentiment against the plans of developers.
More than 120 residents in the public gallery applauded council’s decision, including Geelong Football Club captain Cameron Ling.
Save Spring Creek campaigner David Bell said residents were thrilled.
“The shire can now know they’ll have a huge amount of community support behind them now and for their future battles.”
