THE Surf Coast Shire is keeping an open mind on a third green at the Torquay Bowls Club, with officers describing the proposal\u2019s absence in the draft Taylor Park Master Plan as a \u201cmissed opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cour one and only chance as we approach our 100 years in the Park anniversary\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s existing footprint and encroach into the neighbouring parkland.<\/p>\n
Torquay Bowls Club says the expansion amounts to no more than 0.5 per cent of the land.<\/p>\n
On its website, GORCC acknowledged the club\u2019s desire to expand its lease, \u201chowever consultation has identified strong mixed views\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cGORCC 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
In their submission points to the master plan, considered by Surf Coast Shire councillors at their meeting on Tuesday, shire officers note GORCC\u2019s stance on the third green, including that GORCC has met with the bowling club and has committed to continue working closely with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil suggests this is a missed opportunity to provide clarity to the Torquay Bowling Club and local community regarding the club\u2019s future development aspirations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The submission supports Taylor Park as a \u201chighly valued open space providing recreational opportunities and connection to the natural environment within the Torquay business area\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The submission also notes that consultation on the draft master plan ran from April 18-May 10 but that Tuesday\u2019s meeting was \u201cthe earliest opportunity for the council to receive a report and endorse a submission\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Shire is keeping an open mind on a third green at the Torquay Bowls Club, with officers describing the proposal\u2019s absence in the draft Taylor Park Master Plan as a \u201cmissed opportunity\u201d. The bowls club sits within Taylor Park, Crown land managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), which ran […]<\/p>\n