More houses requested in Spring Creek plan

THE future of housing (or not) in the Spring Creek valley has been shaken up again, with a letter from the state government requesting higher residential density in the precinct structure plan (PSP) for the area.

The Surf Coast Shire submitted its PSP for the land one kilometre west of Duffields Road but Planning Minister Richard Wynne considers “the amendment is not suitable for approval in its current form”.

According to the October 23 letter, from Statutory Planning Services executive director Jane Homewood, there are three key matters to address.

The most controversial of these is that the PSP should have “residential densities comparable to those already being delivered in other key development areas in the town, to help offset the required increased conservation areas and to help activate neighbourhood and local convenience centres”.

The other two are the inclusion of “a suitably located primary school site”, as well as larger areas of conservation open space, including avoiding the removal of stands of Bellarine yellow gum trees.

The shire released the letter two days after receiving it.

“Council will now look to work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and the Victorian Planning Authority to develop a plan of action to work through the issues raised,” chief executive officer Keith Baillie said

“It is envisaged that this work will take place after the forthcoming state election.”

Last month, Labor candidate for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said he wanted to see Torquay’s town boundary brought back to Duffields Road and pledged a review into town boundaries if Labor won the election, which only became official Labor party policy on Tuesday.

Mr Cheeseman said he had no doubt that “money hungry developers” would seek compensation if the boundary was moved.

“I fundamentally reject the notion that developers would win any court proceedings around this; this is an appropriate decision that a Planning Minister would make down the track after appropriate planning considerations with the community and key stakeholders.”

South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said Labor was “making policy on the run”.

“To me, it’s a deliberate attempt to mislead the people of Torquay.”