Night precint alarms campers

Alex de Vos
Torquay campers fear an “entertainment precinct” in Bell Street could wreck their holidays.
Torquay Concerned Campers Committee president David Whiting said members were worried the precinct would attract more late-night revellers as new licensed venues opened on the street.
Mr Whiting said the committee had “certainly a degree of concern” about the impact of more noise and traffic on families who used Torquay’s public caravan park.
“The campers are right on Bell Street,” Mr Whiting said.
“It’s one thing to have nice restaurants but it’s another thing to have big bands in the street all playing at the same time.”
David Clarke, the executive director of caravan park manager Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, also expressed concern about the precinct plan.
“We have issues because of the location and proximity to the (camping) facilities,” Mr Clarke said.
“The caravan park is here to stay and we’re working with council to minimise those issues and perhaps look at increasing the screening through vegetation.”
Surf Coast Mayor Dean Webster has confirmed council could consider transforming Bell Street into a “dining and entertainment precinct to improve management of the area”.
“Most people consider the area the night-time and dining precinct anyway,” he said.
“We might look at reviewing the Bell Street master plan to be a dedicated precinct so it’s easier to police.”
The Independent revealed earlier this year that a new tavern for up to 120 patrons would open on Bell Street by summer.
The shire’s planning committee gave the tavern a green light to operate until midnight on weekdays and 1am on weekends.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association slammed the tavern plan, saying it would increase public drunkenness.
However, tavern operator Sam Beel said his venue would bring a “Lygon Street-feel to Torquay”.
He dismissed claims it would increase public drunkenness.