State grant to encourage shoppers to explore Torquay

A PROJECT to improve directions to Torquay’s “fragmented” shopping precincts has received a $175,000 grant from the state government.

On Tuesday this week, Local Government Minister Shaun Leane and South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman announced $175,000 in funding from the Growing Suburbs Fund for the Torquay Wayfinding Project, which is designed to improve accessibility and access to Torquay’s town centre.

The project will invest in new signage to encourage more people to turn off the Surf Coast Highway and promote exploring Torquay’s shopping area and points of interest on foot, including better connection between the shops, the beach and Surf Coast Walk.

The Surf Coast Shire council applied to the Growing Suburbs Fund in June for the project.

The Torquay Town Centre Urban Design Framework (UDF), adopted by the council in December 2017, identifies Torquay suffers from fragmented precincts that are not well connected, diminishing the experience for visitors and local residents.

The UDF identifies Torquay’s Town Centre (centred on Gilbert Street and Bristol Road) has very little presence on the Surf Coast Highway, and further states the Surf City precinct could be considered the Town Centre for visitors less familiar with Torquay.

It also recognises existing signage and access to the Town Centre is confusing and there is significant scope for improvement, and that other precincts such as Bell Street, Baines Crescent and the growing West Coast Business Park further exacerbate wayfinding challenges.

“It’s great to see the Growing Suburbs Fund support our community by encouraging more people to explore what Torquay has to offer,” Mr Cheeseman said.

“We know there’s a tough road to recovery ahead, but the government is making sure worthwhile projects that help our community thrive are being supported.”

This is the first project in the Surf Coast Shire to be supported by the Growing Suburbs Fund since its $25 million expansion to include peri-urban councils to assist them to bring forward critical community projects.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has invested $275 million in funding 221 community projects. This has created more than 7470 jobs and leveraged more than $755 million in investment.

“I’m really pleased the Wayfinding Project is the first in Surf Coast to benefit from the Growing Suburbs Fund,” Mr Leane said.

“It’s an investment in Torquay’s economy and will promote fitness and walking for visitors and locals.

“The Growing Suburbs Fund has built a legacy of investment in our fastest-growing communities – creating jobs and delivering the facilities communities need to thrive. This is going to be more crucial than ever as we recover from the impact of coronavirus.”

A full list of the successful projects is available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants/growing-suburbs-fund.