HISTORY OF SPRING CREEK
1980-2007
The Spring Creek valley west of Duffields Rd is identified in the Torquay-Jan Juc Structure Plan 1980 as a future urban growth area.
2008
The Spring Creek Urban Growth Framework Plan for the area from Duffields Rd to Bellbrae is prepared.
April 2009
Surf Coast Shire councillors unanimously elect to abandon the plan following community opposition, including from musician Xavier Rudd, actor Jesse Spencer and residentturned-councillor David Bell. A 3000-strong Red Rally (pictured) was held opposing the plans, along with more than 2300 submissions.
June 2010
Council sets the western boundary for Torquay/Jan Juc at 1km west of Duffields Rd.
April 2011
Council releases its 2040 Sustainable Futures Plan: a blueprint for managing an anticipated population of 28,000 and land for more than 6000 new houses in the next 30 years.
June 2011
Planning Minister Matthew Guy (top right) urges councillors to decide on the future of Spring Creek within a month or risk ministerial intervention.
July 2011
Seven out of eight councillors refuse the Planning Minister’s amendments to the council’s Sustainable Futures Plan Torquay-Jan Juc 2040, to accommodate housing within a one-kilometre zone beyond the town’s existing western boundary. The Minister backs down.
April 2012
Councillors vote for Amendment C66, directing Torquay’s growth to the north.
Oct 2013-2014
An independent panel recommends rezoning the land 1km west of Duffields Rd, however councillors reject the recommendation at their December 2013 meeting. Despite this, the Planning Minister’s final decision on Amendment C66 includes the area within the Torquay-Jan Juc town boundary.
March 2014
The Planning Minister rezones the 1km west area to Urban Growth Zone, requiring that a precinct structure plan is prepared as a masterplan for the area. The council subsequently resolves to prepare the Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan to ensure local control over planning in the area.
Feb 2017
A State Government-appointed independent panel criticises aspects of Surf Coast Shire’s Precinct Structure Plan noting it “seemingly ignored a valid, proven and tested strategic planning history for the western precinct”.
Oct 2017
Surf Coast Shire to vote on a plan to approve 2120 properties in the Spring Creek valley.