Update on the major development at 85 Geelong Rd, Torquay.

We have received notification that the developer of 85 Geelong Rd.(corner of Grossmans and Surf Coast Highway) are taking their application to VCAT as the Surf Coast Shire failed to make a decision on the application within the required time of 60 days.

Surf Coast Shire received the application on 20th March but it was not advertised until 40 days later – why did it take so long when they knew a decision had to be made in 60 days?

Council has failed in its responsibility to residents. The failure to provide enough resources to this major development proposal so it can be considered in the necessary timeline, is either deliberate, so council has the decision taken from them at VCAT, or is a systemic failure in resource allocations and priority.

The Surf Coast Shire has not made a decision yet so we don’t know if they will be going to VCAT.

There is a Compulsory conference scheduled for 16th October and a 5 day Case hearing from 14 -18th December 2020.