Development industry slams Spring Creek exclusion

THE peak body for Victoria’s development industry has slammed the state government for ruling out housing in the Spring Creek valley, describing it as a decision driven by “marginal seat politics”.

In the final Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), released last week, Torquay’s permanent settlement boundary has been pulled back to Duffields Road.

This is contrary to the wishes of the local landowners and developers who lobbied for Option 1, which would allow “low density ecologically sustainable development” 1km west from Duffields Road, proposed in the draft SPP.

Urban Design Institute of Australia (UDIA) Victoria chief executive officer Matthew Kandelaars said the state government’s decision put electoral politics ahead of proper planning for long-term growth in regional Victoria.

“Planning for Victoria’s long-term prosperity and allowing new homes in appropriate locations is critical to supporting housing affordability when the home ownership dream has never been further from reach. Sadly, this is too often subservient to marginal seat politics and NIMBYism.”

The UDIA claimed the decision would limit housing supply and drive up prices in an area where the median house price (in Torquay) was more than $1 million.

“This isn’t a question of whether regional Victoria remains affordable for the Melbourne tree-changer. It’s the nurses, teachers, baristas and tradies who have grown up along the Surf Coast and in regional towns right across the state and dream of staying there who will be priced out of their own market,” Mr Kandelaars said.

Parklea and Okeland Communities are among the developers seeking to develop land in Spring Creek.

Although the two developers did not respond to questions when approached this week, a spokesperson said in January 2021 that not choosing Option 1 would force development into Torquay’s town centre in the short term.

“Option 2 doesn’t change the popularity of Torquay. It just changes where the people will be housed,” the spokesperson said.

“If the politics result in no development in Spring Creek, then this will result in higher densities in the town centre. Is this what the majority want?”

Local community groups such as the Greater Torquay Alliance and the 3228 Residents Association have hailed the state government’s final choice of Option 2.

2018 South Barwon independent candidate Damien Cole, who campaigned on the issue and directed preferences to Labor candidate (and now MP) Darren Cheeseman after he pledged to stop development in the Spring Creek valley, said his first reaction to the boundary being set at Duffields Road was relief.

“It’s something our community has needed for so long and it’s been long overdue,” Mr Cole said this week.

“Protection for a town and a community like that on the coast, it’s really important to have that to ensure we can still maintain that coastal charm character.

“I think (the state government) have made the right decision and followed the wishes of the majority of our community.

“You’ve always got to try to look at both sides – I was always quite confident (Option 1) wouldn’t go through, but with any campaign, you’ve got to take it on from a lot of different angles and fight as if you’re going to lose it, and work hard, and never let your foot off the gas.”