Wait continues for strategy on shire settlement

A STRATEGY to decide where the Surf Coast’s future housing will be built is still yet to arrive despite being funded more than a year ago.

Originally announced in early February 2022, the Surf Coast Settlement Strategy was one of the projects to share in more than $3.2 million in funds from the state government’s Streamlining for Growth program.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA), which is administering the program, gave the shire just under $72,000 – a $65,000 cash grant and the rest in VPA staff time – for the 2022 Surf Coast Settlement Strategy.

“A Settlement Strategy is required for the entire municipality of Surf Coast Shire to investigate the potential for urban growth and housing to meet the needs of a growing population,” the VPA’s approved list of grant applications stated.

“The G21 Regional Growth Plan identifies Torquay and Winchelsea for growth, and much of this has been concentrated in Torquay which now lies within a declared area.

“Once concluded, the DAL [Distinctive Area and Landscape] process will result in a protected settlement boundary around Torquay-Jan Juc, limiting greenfield growth.”

Last week, the Surf Coast Shire said the long-running Surf Coast DAL program was responsible for the delay in producing the Surf Coast Settlement Strategy, which had now been renamed.

“Council was unable to proceed with the Settlement Strategy – now titled the Urban Futures Strategy – until the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Project was completed by the state government, which occurred in late 2022,” the shire’s acting general manager of place making and environment Matt Taylor said.

“We recently recommenced pre-planning for the project and work will soon start on a background context report once consultants are appointed.

“The Urban Futures Strategy is expected to take the best part of a year and will be finalised in early 2024. The state government grant will contribute to funding this work.”

The Surf Coast DAL’s Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) does not apply to the entire muncipality, as it only covers Torquay and Jan Juc and extends along the coastline from the eastern edge of the Great Otway National Park to Breamlea Flora and Fauna Reserve.

REMPLAN forecasts predict the population of the shire will increase by more than 18,000 over the next two decades, from 37,623 in 2021 to 56,232 in 2041.

There have been repeated calls from the community, including umbrella advocacy group the Greater Torquay Alliance, for a study into how growth in the area, including in Armstrong Creek, has affected Torquay. The shire has also repeatedly said it is not correct to suggest the council promised in 2009 to carry out such an impact study.