Over the last two decades Torquay has experienced rapid growth, with 5,500 new homes being constructed, increasing the population by almost 15,000 residents.

A significant outcome of the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) has been the application of protected settlement boundaries around each of declared area towns, including Torquay. This effectively prevents further outward expansion, beyond the identified Messmate Road Future Urban Area.

Torquay cannot continue to accommodate the majority of the Shire’s growth, in the medium to longer term.

In Torquay-Jan Juc, the majority of new development will be directed to activity centres, tourism precincts, substantial change areas, and designated future urban areas, such as the Messmate Road Future Urban Area.

The draft Strategy includes principles for Torquay-Jan Juc to:

• Maintain the unique township character and surrounding landscape character of Torquay-Jan Juc.
• Plan for the housing employment needs of the growing population.
• Manage the development of the remaining greenfield land in Torquay-Jan Juc to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Comprehensive strategic planning and assessment of infrastructure needs is required prior to any rezoning of the Messmate Road Future Urban Area, including that stormwater is managed to prevent discharge to the Karaaf wetlands, and to minimise adverse impacts on receiving waters and other areas.

In response to the constraints on outward growth and the need to provide for more diverse housing opportunities, the draft Strategy includes directions to support further work on infill opportunities including to:

• Undertake a precinct plan for the Baines Crescent area and consider opportunities for housing in the precinct; and
• Revisit the Torquay Town Centre Urban Design Framework (2017) and review building heights in the Town Centre in accordance with the SPP

Winchelsea is an attractive town that is well located with good access to existing road and rail infrastructure. It offers an affordable alternative to the Greater Geelong housing market.

In recent years, Winchelsea has experienced steady growth, growing from a population of 1,586 in 2016 to a population of 2,032 at the 2021 census.

The draft Strategy includes a principle to:

• Plan for Winchelsea to grow beyond 10,000 people as the principal location for growth in the Surf Coast Shire.

Winchelsea currently has few residential land opportunities and there is an immediate need to increase lot supply. The draft Strategy identifies that in the short term, this demand should be met in Winchelsea’s southeast, where land is already identified for short term residential growth on the Winchelsea Framework Map.

Population and dwelling projection modelling undertaken to inform the draft Strategy included both a low and high growth scenario for Winchelsea. The low growth scenario models the town’s population growing to 10,771 residents by 2051 and the high growth scenario forecasts the population to grow to 18,757 people (7,500 dwellings) by 2051.

These numbers are projections, not targets that are required to be met. Population projections provide an indication of the level of growth that could occur, subject to a range of factors and influences.

The high growth scenario is well beyond the town’s current aspirational planned growth to 10,000 people and would see Winchelsea take on a role as a second District Town within the municipality.

Ultimately, the extent of future growth in Winchelsea will be explored through a future strategic place plan for the town, identified in the draft Strategy as further work.

The coastal towns between Anglesea and Lorne sit within sensitive and significant landscapes. The unique landscape settings coupled with extreme bushfire risk, restricts the opportunity for urban growth through the outward expansion of towns and significant infill development.

Housing diversity, affordability and availability are challenges in the coastal towns, and this could be exacerbated by declining new housing opportunities.

With an expected increase in the percentage of older residents and a dominance of large, detached houses, the existing housing stock does not respond to the anticipated smaller households.

The draft Strategy includes principles for the coastal towns to:

• Maintain the unique township and surrounding landscape character of the shire’s coastal towns from Anglesea to Lorne.
• Provide for limited future housing growth and employment within the existing settlement boundaries that is consistent with township character

Deans Marsh and Moriac are the key smaller rural townships in the municipality, both offering a valued rural residential lifestyle.

Due to servicing and environmental constraints, these towns will not play a significant role in meeting future land supply needs for the municipality and instead, the ongoing sustainability of towns will be the focus.

The draft Strategy includes a principle to:

• Maintain the unique character of the shire’s hinterland towns.