This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Victorian government has released a stronger planning policy for the Surf Coast, protecting the iconic landscapes and environmental features of region from inappropriate development.
Following through on a 2018 election promise, the final Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) for the Surf Coast Distinctive Area Landscape was developed with and based on expert advice from the Traditional Owners the Wadawurrung, the local community, the Surf Coast Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, responsible public entities and government agencies before being released by Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne.
“We’ve listened to the community and are delivering the permanent protections the Surf Coast needs, ensuring this beautiful part of Victoria continues to be a great place to live, work and visit,” said Wynne.
The SPP outlines protected settlement boundaries for Torquay-Jan Juc, Bellbrae and Breamlea, directing most new development to more appropriate activity centres, tourism precincts and designated settlements.
“We’re protecting the character of Surf Coast communities while providing locals and builders the confidence they need to plan and invest long-term,”
The policy will also restrict growth in greenfield areas in order to ensure the protection of areas with valuable biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, state-significant landscapes and township character.
“We said that Duffield’s Road would be the boundary and we have kept that commitment to protect Spring Creek. We have stopped greedy developers from turning the Surf Coast into the Gold Coast,” said Darren Cheeseman, member for South Barwon.
The Spring Creek area will form park of the green break between Torquay–Jan Juc and Bellbrae, sitting outside the protected settlement boundary.
Meanwhile protected settlement boundaries for Mount Duneed and Connewarre have been outlined and following further local strategic planning, a protected settlement boundary will be introduced for the rapidly changing Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area
“These reforms mean we can be confident that what we love about our Surf Coast community and the unique environment is protected now and for future generations,” concluded Cheeseman.
