OFF TARGET: Shire submission calls for rethink of Taylor Park plan

THE Surf Coast Shire is keeping an open mind on a third green at the Torquay Bowls Club, with officers describing the proposal’s absence in the draft Taylor Park Master Plan as a “missed opportunity”.

The bowls club sits within Taylor Park, Crown land managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), which ran consultation earlier this year to review and renew the master plan for the park.

The draft master plan does not show a third green and the board of management of the club (which sits within Taylor Park) asked its members during the consultation period to ask GORCC to put a third green into the final plan, calling it “our one and only chance as we approach our 100 years in the Park anniversary”.

The proposal faced some opposition from those upset that the new green (which would be built over the lower half of the car park) would go beyond the club’s existing footprint and encroach into the neighbouring parkland.

Torquay Bowls Club says the expansion amounts to no more than 0.5 per cent of the land.

On its website, GORCC acknowledged the club’s desire to expand its lease, “however consultation has identified strong mixed views”.

“GORCC supports the Bowls Club in its current capacity and use. Without further consultation and investigation, GORCC cannot support or commit to an extension to the lease area.”

In their submission points to the master plan, considered by Surf Coast Shire councillors at their meeting on Tuesday, shire officers note GORCC’s stance on the third green, including that GORCC has met with the bowling club and has committed to continue working closely with them.

“Council suggests this is a missed opportunity to provide clarity to the Torquay Bowling Club and local community regarding the club’s future development aspirations.”

The submission supports Taylor Park as a “highly valued open space providing recreational opportunities and connection to the natural environment within the Torquay business area”.

“Council notes that the master plan has been developed to guide future improvement in Taylor Park, however limited improvements or enhancements have been identified that will benefit users.”

A date for the release of the final master plan is unclear, as GORCC will be replaced in 2020 by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, which will take over the functions of all land managers along the Great Ocean Road.

The submission also notes that consultation on the draft master plan ran from April 18-May 10 but that Tuesday’s meeting was “the earliest opportunity for the council to receive a report and endorse a submission”.