Developers commit to protecting trees

SPRING Creek landowners and developers Parklea and Okeland said they will not remove any Bellarine Yellow Gum trees if development proceeds west of Duffields Road.

The Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan originally stated 39 Bellarine Yellow Gum trees would be removed if the area was developed.

The public submissions process regarding the draft statement of planning policy (SPP) set up by the State Government has been open for
three weeks.

The draft Statement of Planning Policy sets out two distinct options for the ecologically diverse area, which will form the basis for the overall Surf Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) and the future use of Spring Creek Valley, west of Duffields Road.

The developers are encouraging community members to select option one on the draft Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) regarding future use of land.

According to the draft statement, that would allow for “low density” and “ecologically sustainable” housing development in that area.

Parklea Director Don Welsh said only under option one could the future of the Bellarine Yellow Gums be guaranteed and enhanced through reforestation.

“There is already an Environmental Significance Overlay in place to provide protection for the Yellow Gums within the Spring Creek future residential area,” he said.

Mr Welsh said if residents select option two, the area will be zoned for rural land use and there will be no effective protection, which will result in a declining population for for the Yellow Gum.

“Only under option one can the community access the Bellarine Yellow Gums and their future be guaranteed,” he said.

A background to the SPP paper released by DELWP in November stated that the Bellarine Yellow Gum is a species endemic to the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula. The main populations are found in Ocean Grove and Torquay, with scattered occurrences in Wallington and Jan Juc. The paper declared that they were threatened by growth of these coastal settlements.

Head to engage.vic.gov.au/dalsac to make your submission now. Submission opportunities will end on January 22 2021.