Recommendation for Surf Coast DAL still weeks away

THOSE interested in the outcome of the lengthy public hearing into the Surf Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program will have to wait as long as six weeks and probably longer to find out more.

The Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) began its public hearing of submissions and evidence into the Surf Coast DAL, including the draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), on March 15 and wrapped up on April 29.

The committee – Kathy Mitchell (chair), Ian Hamm, Tanya Burdett, Shannon Davies and Peter Edwards -.is now in the process of forming its report of recommendations for state Planning Minister Richard Wynne, in light of all submissions received and heard.

According to the SAC’s website, this report is to be provided to Mr Wynne by June 25, unless the committee decides it is appropriate to reconvene, in which case the chair will individually notify submitters that sought to be a party to the hearings.

The future (or not) of development in Torquay’s Spring Creek valley is perhaps the most controversial element of the draft SPP.

The document proposes two possibilities: Option 1, which earmarks land 1km west of Duffields Road for “low density ecologically sustainable development”; and Option 2, which fixes the settlement boundary at Duffields Road and rules out any development in the valley at all.

During the hearings, several landholders in the valley and developers argued the SAC should be allowed to recommend outcomes other than Option 1 or 2, and that this third option should be the progression of the Spring Creek PSP.

Two of the landholders declined the opportunity to elaborate further when approached by this newspaper.

“While the Standing Advisory Committee process is ongoing, Okeland Communities and Parklea will not be providing any additional comment,” a spokesperson said.

The final SPP is due to be produced by late 2021.

To read all draft SPP submissions, tabled documents and expert evidence during the hearing, and listen to audio recordings from each day, head to the Vic Gov website.

In other planning news for Torquay, the Surf Coast Shire council held a special council meeting on Tuesday this week to hear submissions to its draft Torquay-Jan Juc Retail and Employment Land Strategy.

According to the strategy, “a combination of a lack of vacant land and restrictive height limits over much of the centre means there are very few redevelopment opportunities”.

“Strong policy support for the town centre to remain the primary retail hub is needed, along with a pro-active approach to transition to a higher-density mixed-use environment.

“Without these interventions, there is a clear risk of further decline in the performance of the centre and negative economic and social implications for the broader town.”

Height limits were the most frequently raised concern (20 times) in the submissions to the draft strategy, with concerns including the need to cap building heights at 7.5 metres in the Torquay Town Centre and limit building heights along The Esplanade.