Council Responds to C66 Decision


Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rose Hodge, says the community will be disappointed at the Planning Minister’s decision to rezone land 1km west of Duffields Road as Urban Growth Zone.

The decision is part of the Planning Minister’s determination on Planning Amendment C66, which was announced in today’s Victorian Government Gazette.

In December 2013, Council voted 4-3 to ask the Minister to set Torquay’s urban growth boundary at Duffields Road as part of Council’s consideration of Planning Amendment C66.

Cr Hodge said Council had made that decision based on extensive community consultation and the preparation of planning documents such as Sustainable Futures Torquay Jan Juc 2040.

“This has been a difficult and complex issue, which has included extensive community involvement and strong views have been expressed.” 

“Council has listened and responded to the feedback received and I know many people will be disappointed by the decision of the Planning Minister,” Cr Hodge said.

Cr Hodge said Council would examine the detail of the Minister’s decision on Amendment C66.

“The Minister has the final say on all planning amendments in Victoria, so the only available option to Council and the community is to work with the decision that has been made.

“Given the decision has been announced today, we need time to look at the detail and work through the most appropriate course of action, including planning for the land 1km west of Duffields Road.”

As part of the decision, the Minister also rezoned land at 248 Great Ocean Road now owned by Christian College to Special Use Zone 9.  This means the amendment requested by Christian College at Council’s February 2014 meeting to facilitate the development of a school and kindergarten will not be placed on public exhibition.

The Urban Growth Zone does not facilitate immediate development in the area 1km west of Duffields Road.  Further planning work will be required to direct the form and scale of land use before any subdivision occurs or planning applications can be assessed.

Other land within Spring Creek Valley outside 1km west of Duffields Road remains in the Farming Zone.

The Planning Minister’s decision supported other parts of Amendment C66 including neighbourhood character protection, vegetation conservation and future retail land provision.

Gor more information visit Surf Coast Shire