Cypress Lane potential sale will lead to decreased quality of life, residents say

Surf Coast council will consider the sale of Cypress Lane land next month, but residents say this would have a negative impact on their quality of life.

Torquay resident Paul Maguire says the potential sale of Cypress Lane would negatively impact his neighbourhood. Picture: Mark Wilson

Surf Coast council will decide on the sale of Cypress Lane next month, but residents’ quality of life will be decreased if it goes ahead, locals say.

Council will consider the potential closing off and sale of Cypress Lane, and the sale of a portion of Reserve No 3 at a special council meeting on October 3.

In a statement, council said the proposal was originally to be considered in September, but because of a Lorne location, the item was moved to October, in Torquay, to make it more accessible for Torquay residents wanting to attend.

At a council meeting in February this year, councillors voted to provide in principle support for the sale of the land.

The land is adjacent to a divisive retirement village development permit application, which was approved at the August 22 council meeting.

Mr Maguire said respiratory problems were among his concerns, should the Cypress Lane sale be approved. Picture: Mark Wilson

The development will include 196 independent living units comprising 120 detached single storey independent living units and three apartment buildings comprising 76 apartments.

There will also be a club house, which could be up to three storeys high, with a swimming pool, gym, sauna, library and salon, as well as 355 carparking spaces.

Paul Maguire, who has lived in a street around the corner from Cypress Lane for five years, said many people used the land that will potentially be sold for leisure activities including walking dogs and for safer access across Deep Creek.

He said he and his partner had moved to the area under the assumption that it would be limited to one-acre properties, with an alternative lifestyle for leisure.

Spokesman for the Save Cypress Lane group Mark Mathews (right) said negative impacts to residents and the environment was “guaranteed” if a sale goes ahead. Picture: Mike Dugdale

He said his other concerns for the potential sale was for the environmental impacts to vegetation and wildlife.

“We’ve noticed a fair bit of activity of certain species (including) echidnas there,” Mr Maguire said.

“We’re also concerned about the run-off from Deep Creek down onto Fisherman’s Beach, where the angling club is.

“There’s also a concern about it being a 10-year build … in terms of noise, access of vehicles, and respiratory problems from (dust).”

Spokesman for the Save Cypress Lane group Mark Mathews said the land was donated to the council years ago, with the expectation it would be kept for low density housing, not sold to a developer.

He said the development would already impact residents of surrounding properties, without the sale of Cypress Lane.

“Those residents’ quality of life is going to be impacted through constant noise and dust,” Mr Mathews said.

“(And the) impact to the environment is pretty much guaranteed.”

He said property values were also likely to be negatively impacted through the development.

Mr Maguire said the situation was “disappointing” and he hoped council would protect the area going forward.

Originally published as Cypress Lane potential sale will lead to decreased quality of life, residents say