Manly Coast Plan

Jane Emerick
A PROPOSED residential and retail development would bring a bit of Manly to Torquay, according to a foreshore property owner.
Julie Spriggs said the development on The Esplanade would create beachfront retail facilities like cafes in Torquay, which other popular spots like Manly, Cairns and even Lorne already boast.
“It’s time for Torquay to go, ‘okay we are a tourist town’ and we need to service the tourists,” she said.
“People expect when they come to Torquay that they should be able to sit in a cafe and have a coffee and look at the ocean.”
Mrs Spriggs said a lack of services for people on the foreshore meant people had to leave the beach to get a “cool drink or an ice cream”.
She said local businesses had already raised interest in the project.
The development proposed for 44-46 The Esplanade, would house 18 apartments and eight shops.
The project would take up three house blocks and require the removal of three homes, Mrs Spriggs said.
The basement of the building would house 41 car parks. A further 34 parking spaces would be provided in a rear laneway.
The ground level would feature shops and the second storey would include a combination of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, she said.
The application went on exhibition last year.
Torquay’s residents group has welcomed the development.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association president Dennis Holloway said the group had no problem with the project as long as it was within zoning rules.
“We accept it,” he said.
Association secretary Lyn Smith said the plan could have positive aspects for ratepayers.
“It could well be very pleasant depending on what stores go in there,” she said.
Brian Hayden, of Hayden Real Estate, said development “was a very good design”.
“There are some features, such as an underground car park that takes the cars off the street and an exercise pool, which will keep people fit,” he said.
“It’s the perfect location for a high density development.”
Mrs Spriggs said the main concern from four submissions on the proposal dealt with parking and access to a lane behind the development.
“The car parking strategy has been complied with,” she said.
“Lane access will be improved because it will be three times as wide.”
Council is expected to make a decision on the project in February.