Community speaks up at Town Centre Project hearing

THERE are still heightened concerns about the vision for Torquay’s town centre, with most of the submissions from the public so far opposed to the proposed building heights.

This was reflected at the hearing of submissions committee meeting on Tuesday, with most of the speakers voicing their disapproval of the Torquay Town Centre Project and its plan to allow buildings of up to five storeys.

The shire received more than 150 submissions about the draft documents exhibited by the shire from landowners, developers and residents, as well as from groups including the Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association (TCT), the Surf Coast Energy Group and the 3228 Residents Association.

Several small business owners in central Torquay were strongly against the ideas put forward in the project, including Oishi-m founder Miyo Fallshaw, who said “I’m scared for Torquay, to put it bluntly”.

“The plan is an endpoint, but where does it put us? Our position is right at ground zero.

“If this plan goes ahead, will Torquay lose its soul? Yes; most probably.”

The TCT was one of the few speakers on Tuesday in favour of the project, and group representative Neil Noelker said the TCT was “generally excited by what we’ve read”.

“We realise that Torquay is now on the world stage – the Great Ocean Road, the Rip Curl Pro, the home of Australian surfing and growing events such as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

“As a result, Torquay must transform and unlock the potential of the town so it becomes more attractive, vibrant and connected.”

The agenda for the meeting had 26 people who indicated that they would like to speak in support of their submission, but only 14 – just over half – were present on the night to do so.