Landowners talk up economic benefits of houses in Spring Creek

TWO of the landowners in the area covered by the Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) are talking up the benefits of completing the development, saying it will create 2,400 construction jobs, more than $1 billion in construction activity and 370 permanent jobs.
Okeland Communities and Parklea released the economic modelling on Tuesday this week, noting that 2020 was the 40-year anniversary of Spring Creek being identified as an area for long term future urban growth.
The Surf Coast Shire council approved the PSP for the land one kilometre west of Duffields Road in 2017, but the process has been put on hold as the Andrews Government works through the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process.
Parklea director Don Welsh said the modelling would quantify the regional opportunity Spring Creek represented for the local construction industry affected by the coronavirus.
“With construction the third largest employer in the region and unemployment rates increasing monthly, the 2,400 jobs created by Spring Creek will assist Torquay and the Surf Coast in managing the economic impacts of COVID-19.
“The Spring Creek PSP has a long history. We have worked in good faith with the community, council and governments and remain committed to delivering the PSP agreed by the council in 2017.”
Okeland Communities executive director Cameron Shephard said the PSP was unlike any other Okeland had created.
“With an average block size of almost 800 square meters and house coverage limited at 35 per cent of the block, people who live here will be building homes that fit within the Torquay landscape: new homes and big backyards for growing families.
“These homes will be built by current Surf Coast residents for future Surf Coast residents.”
The two landholders said they would continue to promote the benefits of Spring Creek and
looked forward to being able to begin discussions with the local construction industry as soon as possible.
“History has shown that during recessions the construction industry is the last impacted but the longest hurt. Spring Creek can provide a pipeline for the Torquay and Surf Coast construction industry.”