RED LINES – Process of setting Torquay’s boundaries questioned

LABOR’S motivations and method of locking in Torquay’s town boundaries have been questioned, with participants in a community forum grilling South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman on the issue.

Mr Cheeseman hosted the public meeting about the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process at Torquay Community House on Friday morning, which drew a crowd of about 40 people.

The state Labor government has announced its intention to declare the geographic area of Torquay-Jan Juc and the surrounding hinterland area a “Distinctive Area and Landscape” under the Planning and Environment Act, and is running a first round of consultations to determine what the community values, what is under threat and how it can be protected.

In the lead up to last year’s state election, Mr Cheeseman committed to move Torquay’s town boundary back a kilometre to Duffields Road to rule out development in the Spring Creek valley (a pledge repeated by Premier Daniel Andrews in March).

At the meeting, Mr Cheeseman said he had been very clear on his position, leading some people to question why Duffields Road had been already fixed as the western boundary.

“So why have the consultation process?” one person said. “This is an absolute farce!”

In response, Mr Cheeseman said Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes would consider all of Torquay’s town boundaries.

Several farmers at the meeting said there had not been enough consultation with them, saying there was a need for agricultural studies to determine what land was not of value and could be developed without loss.

“What we want to preserve here are ribbons of green, but we’re really concerned we’re a minority,” one said. “It’s got to be a two-way consultation.”

Several people at the meeting expressed their desire to keep Torquay the way that it was and their fears about the consequences of too much growth.

Comments included “we want lots of people to come and enjoy it, but we’ve got first dibs” and “we’re now at a point in Torquay where we are at capacity, the opportunity for growth is really capped”.

However, one forum attendee said Geelong was growing as a region, so there would have to be “sensible” growth in Torquay to increase the rates base and fund infrastructure.

“If we don’t have a reasonable level of population in Torquay, we will not get that infrastructure; we will just miss out.”

Mr Cheeseman repeatedly encouraged anyone who wanted to have their say to make a submission.

For more information and to make a submission before tomorrow’s deadline (Friday June 14), head to engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-andlandscapes-program/surf-coast.