Petitions want Torquay’s height capped

A HIGH level of opposition remains about the plan to make central Torquay taller, with petitions for a maximum three-storey height attracting nearly 1,600 signatures.

The Surf Coast Shire council officially received the two petitions about the Torquay Town Centre Project, co-ordinated by the 3228 Residents’ Association (3228RA), at their meeting on Tuesday.

The hardcopy petition had 1,245 signatures, while an online version had 352 digital signatures.

In an explanatory letter to shire mayor David Bell and chief executive officer Keith Baillie, 3228RA treasurer Helen Torley wrote that petitioners wanted the shire to mandate a maximum building height level of three storeys or 9.5 metres from the existing ground level in The Torquay Town Centre Project.

3228RA is opposed to the project’s plan to allow maximum building heights of five storeys in some parts of the town centre, which the Surf Coast Shire argues is needed to create a denser CBD that supports more jobs for a growing population.

Ms Torley stated the signatures were collected in just over three weeks, with more than three quarters being local residents.

“Importantly, the 1,245 signatories to the paper petition were collected by our members locally in Torquay, at community gatherings, sporting activities, markets and in the Torquay town centre shopping centre. We have been buoyed by the encouragement and overwhelming support for the petition.

“Today, we ask the Surf Coast Shire to listen to the people that know and care about Torquay and its future more than anyone and want to continue to prosper, live in and visit this beautiful area.”

Councillors resolved to accept both petitions but noted that the second petition did not comply with Section 19.2 of Local Law No. 2 (Meeting Procedure), which states that the council cannot receive petitions unless each page bears the whole of the wording of the petition; and that petitioners must put down their name and physical address, as well as their signature.

The petitions will be considered as part of submissions to the Torquay Town Centre Project.

For more information on the project, head to surfcoastconversations.com.au/torquay-town-centre-project.