Final planning policy rules out housing in Spring Creek

THE line has finally been drawn on growth in Torquay’s Spring Creek valley, with the area to remain outside the town’s protected settlement boundary in the final Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) for the long-awaited Surf Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program.

To be released by Planning Minister Richard Wynne online today (Thursday, April 14), the final SPP has been developed in collaboration with the Traditional Owners the Wadawurrung, the local community, the Surf Coast Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, responsible public entities and government agencies.

The state government declared Torquay, Jan Juc, Bells Beach and Breamlea and surrounds a Distinctive Area and Landscape in September 2019, which began the process of creating a 50-year vision and land use strategies for the area.

This followed then-Labor candidate and now South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman’s pledge ahead of the 2018 state election to pull back Torquay’s town boundary from 1km west of Duffields Road and set it at Duffields Road itself.

Released in November 2020, the draft SPP was less decisive and proposed two possible outcomes for the valley – Option 2, largely supported by the community and community groups, ruled out development west of Duffields Road; while Option 1, largely supported by developers and those with an interest in land in the area, allowed “low density ecologically sustainable development” 1km west into the valley.

Pulling the town boundary back has now entirely voided the precinct structure plan the Surf Coast Shire developed for the 1km west land and adopted in October 2017.

“We said that Duffields Road would be the boundary and we have kept that commitment to protect Spring Creek,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“We have stopped greedy developers from turning the Surf Coast into the Gold Coast.

“These reforms mean we can be confident that what we love about our Surf Coast community and the unique environment is protected now and for future generations.”

The protected settlement boundaries in the final SPP direct most new development to activity centres, tourism precincts and designated settlement areas where growth and more housing is appropriate.

Growth in greenfield areas will be restricted, protecting areas of high biodiversity value, Aboriginal cultural heritage, state-significant landscapes and township character.

Settlement boundaries for Mount Duneed and Connewarre are also outlined, with a protected settlement boundary to be introduced for the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area following further local strategic planning.

“We’ve listened to the community and are delivering the permanent protections the Surf Coast needs, ensuring this beautiful part of Victoria continues to be a great place to live, work and visit,” Mr Wynne said.

“We’re protecting the character of Surf Coast communities while providing locals and builders the confidence they need to plan and invest long-term.”