THE Greater Torquay Alliance (GTA) is hopeful for the future of Spring Creek after learning of Premier Daniel Andrews\u2019 definitive response to questions about development in the area in a press conference last week.<\/p>\n
During the Highton Child and Family Centre opening on Friday, March 15, the Premier addressed the promise made by then-candidate and now-South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman to move the western town boundary back a kilometre to Duffields Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made commitments and those commitments will be honoured in full. Duffields Road is the boundary, not one foot further. I can\u2019t be any clearer than that – that will be the town boundary, there will be no development beyond that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the GTA – who have fought hard for the preservation of Spring Creek – and its member groups welcomed the recent comments made by the Premier.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis statement makes the government\u2019s intention very plain and will save Spring Creek, to the west of Duffields Road, from future urban development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to thank Premier Andrews for having the political strength to back our community over developers. We must also thank the member for South Barwon, Darren Cheeseman, who raised Spring Creek as an election issue and convinced the Premier it was the right thing to do for Torquay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GTA said the community had been determined to achieve this outcome for over a decade, with the Premier\u2019s comments affirming their years of hard work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is proof that if we care enough and are dedicated enough, great things can be achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to working with all relevant authorities to achieve the best outcomes for future development in Torquay and Jan Juc.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Torquay\u2019s town boundary is moved back to Duffields Road, it will effectively make the Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan drawn up by the Surf Coast Shire invalid.<\/p>\n
Some developers and landowners have threatened legal action if development in the valley is ruled out, but Mr Andrews has dismissed suggestions of a payout.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrevious governments made decisions and I\u2019ll leave it to them to defend some of the cozy relationships they had with cashed-up developers; I\u2019m not in that business.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Greater Torquay Alliance (GTA) is hopeful for the future of Spring Creek after learning of Premier Daniel Andrews\u2019 definitive response to questions about development in the area in a press conference last week. During the Highton Child and Family Centre opening on Friday, March 15, the Premier addressed the promise made by then-candidate and […]<\/p>\n