Coker wants Spring Creek protected

CORANGAMITE Labor federal member Libby Coker has slammed the door on any development in Torquay’s Spring Creek valley.

Ms Coker said she voted against opening the valley up for development while she was a councillor and mayor with the Surf Coast Shire, and her submission about the draft Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy – now on public exhibition – was unchanged from that position and supported Option 2, which sets the town boundary at Duffields Road.

“This is my longstanding view and one that was formed during my time as Surf Coast councillor and mayor. It has been strengthened after much community consultation,” Ms Coker wrote in her submission.

“The green belt between Duffields Road and the Bellbrae township must be permanently protected. It stands at the gateway to iconic Bells Beach, is a green space that sustains the habitat for many threatened species and is vital to the natural amenity, character and soul of both Torquay and Jan Juc.

“If the Spring Creek valley is not protected, the landscape of Torquay-Jan Juc will be fundamentally changed, and I fear it could open the door to more inappropriate development.

“This is the only way to retain the distinctive character and heritage of the Torquay and Jan Juc townships that our local communities, and all those who visit, love so much.”

Option 1 would make the land in the valley 1km west of Duffields Road a low density ecologically sustainable development area, and landowners Parklea and Okeland Communities argue Option 1 would create “a sustainable future for Torquay” by protecting Bellarine yellow gums, providing attainable housing and new sustainable options for Torquay locals, and opening Spring Creek to the wider community.

Submissions about the draft SPP, part of the Surf Coast Distinctive Area and Landscapes process, close at 4pm on January 29.

All submissions are treated as public documents and will be later published online.

When making your submission you can nominate to be heard and participate in the public hearing, which is scheduled to begin in the week of March 15 and run for four to six weeks.

If you make a submission, you will be notified about the timing and format of the public hearing after the exhibition period has closed.

To make a submission or for more information, head to engage.vic.gov.au/dalsac.