LABOR\u2019S motivations and method of locking in Torquay\u2019s town boundaries have been questioned, with participants in a community forum grilling South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman on the issue.<\/p>\n
Mr Cheeseman hosted the public meeting about the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process at Torquay Community House on Friday morning, which drew a crowd of about 40 people.<\/p>\n
The state Labor government has announced its intention to declare the geographic area of Torquay-Jan Juc and the surrounding hinterland area a \u201cDistinctive Area and Landscape\u201d under the Planning and Environment Act, and is running a first round of consultations to determine what the community values, what is under threat and how it can be protected.<\/p>\n
In the lead up to last year\u2019s state election, Mr Cheeseman committed to move Torquay\u2019s town boundary back a kilometre to Duffields Road to rule out development in the Spring Creek valley (a pledge repeated by Premier Daniel Andrews in March).<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Mr Cheeseman said he had been very clear on his position, leading some people to question why Duffields Road had been already fixed as the western boundary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo why have the consultation process?\u201d one person said. \u201cThis is an absolute farce!\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Mr Cheeseman said Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes would consider all of Torquay\u2019s town boundaries.<\/p>\n
Several farmers at the meeting said there had not been enough consultation with them, saying there was a need for agricultural studies to determine what land was not of value and could be developed without loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we want to preserve here are ribbons of green, but we\u2019re really concerned we\u2019re a minority,\u201d one said. \u201cIt\u2019s got to be a two-way consultation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several people at the meeting expressed their desire to keep Torquay the way that it was and their fears about the consequences of too much growth.<\/p>\n
Comments included \u201cwe want lots of people to come and enjoy it, but we\u2019ve got first dibs\u201d and \u201cwe\u2019re now at a point in Torquay where we are at capacity, the opportunity for growth is really capped\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, one forum attendee said Geelong was growing as a region, so there would have to be \u201csensible\u201d growth in Torquay to increase the rates base and fund infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t have a reasonable level of population in Torquay, we will not get that infrastructure; we will just miss out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Cheeseman repeatedly encouraged anyone who wanted to have their say to make a submission.<\/p>\n
For more information and to make a submission before tomorrow\u2019s deadline (Friday June 14), head to engage.vic.gov.au\/distinctive-areas-andlandscapes-program\/surf-coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LABOR\u2019S motivations and method of locking in Torquay\u2019s town boundaries have been questioned, with participants in a community forum grilling South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman on the issue. Mr Cheeseman hosted the public meeting about the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process at Torquay Community House on Friday morning, which drew a crowd of […]<\/p>\n