Surf Coast Times
Tuesday 5 April 2011
VOL 9. No 14
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
FAMILY FUN DAY A ROARING SUCCESS Torquay Tigers’ annual family fun day again proved a major hit with the community. Despite the threatening weather, hundreds of people turned out to enjoy kids’ activities, a barbecue and a kick of the footy at Spring Creek Reserve. Giving the day the big thumbs up were these boys, who took time out to enjoy a ride on the train.
LAND SUPPLY Photo: PETER MARSHALL
Surf Coast Shire and developers’ institute at loggerheads over land availability
BY NATHAN HALE
SURF Coast Shire Mayor, Dean Webster, said council will not be bullied into making rash decisions on local development. Webster was responding to claims made by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), which said Torquay has slipped into a land supply crisis, with residential availability likely to run out in around two years, unless the shire acts decisively. The UDIA was commenting following a report from independent land economists, Spade Consultants, which found around 900 lots are available in Torquay for residential development in the short-term. This represents less than 2.5 years’ supply, some of which is still yet to obtain a permit and therefore will not be available to the market for some time.
Surf Forecast
The UDIA said the issue threatens the town’s ability to attract and retain key workers. Webster, however, said the UDIA was over-reacting and that the shire was maintaining control over land supply and availability. “The UDIA’s Tony De Domenico has exaggerated the issue by using the ‘shovel-ready’ scenario, but this council will not be pushed into unplanned development by a developers’ lobby group,” Webster said. “UDIA would be better placed supporting council in ensuring that the liveability of our community is enhanced through proper planning and investment in community infrastructure and social values.” While dismissing the UDIA’s claim, Webster did acknowledge that prices in the Surf Coast – and particularly Torquay – had jumped substantially over the past 12 months.
Webster said this was due to a lack of “shovelready” lots – those ready to build on. “Currently, we have a very low availability of ‘shovel-ready’ residential lots in Torquay which has dramatically increased the cost of vacant blocks in the past year,” he admitted. “But with over 3,000 lots, mostly in Torquay north and some infill development, we have approximately 10 years’ supply of identified zoned land to be released shortly. “This is below the Department of Planning and Community Development’s required 15 years to enable affordability through diversity of choice and price stability. “Through council’s strategic planning processes and the 2040 Sustainable Futures Project we have identified approximately 30 years of land supply for
consideration within the current settlement boundary.” Bankwest’s 2011 Key Worker Housing Affordability Report ranks the Surf Coast as the second least affordable regional area in Victoria for key workers such as nurses, teachers, police officers, fire-fighters and ambulance officers. “Living and working in Torquay will be near impossible for people in these professions,” De Domenico said. “This will affect the whole community. For example, it will become more difficult to attract teachers to the area, disadvantaging the many young families in the Surf Coast region. “In the short-term, current home owners may see their property values increase. However, looking forward, housing affordability will threaten the liveability and prosperity of the town overall.”
WED 2-3ft+ average E 21° THU 1-2ft+ peaky NE 22° FRI 1-2ft small N/NE 22° SAT 1-2ft small N 23°
PAGE
11 0
Plantation Shutters The very essence of timeless style and sleek function to complement your decor. Champion Plantation Shutters are a stunning blend of functionality and fashion, including the option of our Remote Controlled Motorised tilt system.
Call 5261 9666 for an obligation free quote.