Cheeseman won’t meet with Spring Creek developers

SOUTH Barwon Labor MP Darren Cheeseman has confirmed he wants no growth in Torquay’s Spring Creek valley, and said he will not entertain any arguments to the contrary.
Mr Cheeseman campaigned heavily on the issue in the lead-up to the 2018 state election, in which he won the seat of South Barwon from the Liberals’ Andrew Katos.
In this newspaper last week, developers with an interest in the land slated for the Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan – who have been pushing for construction to start since at least July this year – said they had “sought multiple meetings with Mr Cheeseman to discuss the issue and remained keen to meet with him”.
In a letter to the editor sent to this newspaper last week, Mr Cheeseman said he’d “like to assure the Surf Coast community that while some developers have sought meetings with me, I will continue to decline their invitations”.
“I’ve had thousands of conversations with locals, and the message has been resoundingly clear – they want the Surf Coast protected and its identity and heritage preserved.
“I was elected in 2018 to end overdevelopment and stop developers from turning the Surf Coast into the Gold Coast.
“The Andrews Labor Government has accomplished this by declaring the Surf Coast a Distinctive Area and Landscape, offering permanent protection for Torquay, Bellbrae and Jan Juc.
“I look forward to the opening of the next stage of the consultation process, which will provide to the community the opportunity to make their views clear.”
“My personal view, which I believe is shared by many residents, is that Spring Creek should be protected, and the town boundary pulled back to Duffields Road.
“The upcoming consultation process is independent and will reflect the views that the community puts forward.
“I encourage all interested residents to make their voice heard over the coming months.
“I also encourage the incoming Surf Coast Shire Councillors to make a submission to this process, spelling out in clear terms their view on town boundaries and height limits.
“Let’s put a stop to overdevelopment.”
For the latest updates on the Surf Coast DAL, head to engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-and-landscapes-program/surf-coast.