Shire to consider more change rooms in Torquay North

THE Surf Coast Shire has knocked back Surf Coast FC’s request to build a second pavilion in Banyul-Warri Fields, but has promised to investigate options to increase the number of change rooms in the Torquay North precinct.

Councillors considered a report on the matter at their meeting last month.

The masterplan for the Torquay Community Civic Precinct Masterplan (CCP) includes two AFL ovals, three soccer pitches, four netball courts and a social pavilion (Grant Pavilion) with six change rooms.

The completion of the final soccer pitch in the precinct in this financial year will result in five sporting fields with only six change rooms to service the existing users’ training and competition needs. At least 10 change rooms are required for all fields to be used at the same time.

Last November, Surf Coast FC submitted a community project proposal to the shire to develop a “satellite” pavilion in the narrow section between the existing synthetic and natural turf soccer pitches to provide more change rooms and social amenity for the club.

The club also submitted a letter to the Mayor last month requesting a letter of support from the council for use of land between the soccer pitches to develop a new pavilion.

The officers’ report to councillors acknowledges the growing demand on the facilities located within the CCP, but in terms of Surf Coast FC’s proposal, “there is a risk in supporting the project without proper investigation”.

“Further planning is required to ensure the current and future demands of all users are being met.”

As a result, councillors resolved to use $30,000 from the accumulated unallocated cash reserve to make an “assessment of all design options to increase change facilities in the precinct including, but not limited to, the proposal put forward by Surf Coast FC”.