Alliance still wants impact study in Torquay, Cheeseman quiet

THE Greater Torquay Alliance is continuing to push for a study to assess the impact of growth in the area on Torquay’s businesses, beaches and lifestyle.

In a letter to the editor in this week’s edition, GTA member Maurice Cole said the Surf Coast Shire had promised an impact study in 2009 (a claim the shire has repeatedly said is not correct) but had still not completed it, and the GTA was “unhappy about the state of affairs in Torquay”.

“We want a clear plan for the future, to challenge current developer/Surf Coast Shire plans and we will fight until the Impact Study is conducted, so that we can adequately plan for social, economic, environmental and lifestyle issues.”

The effects of growth on Torquay were a hot topic during last year’s state election, with Labor South Barwon candidate Darren Cheeseman and his party promising to make the Surf Coast a “Distinctive Area and Landscape” under the Planning and Environment Act if they won the election.

Mr Cheeseman had not responded to questions from this newspaper about the progress of Labor’s policy by deadline.