Documents reveal transit corridor running through developed estate

A new proposed rail link set to push ahead and run right through Geelong’s biggest growth area has locals planning their moves elsewhere. SEE THE MAP

About 70 Armstrong Creek houses will be split by tracks if the highly anticipated Torquay rail link goes ahead.

Documents reveal the Torquay Transit Corridor (TTC) runs directly through an Armstrong Creek estate – hundreds of metres away from houses.

A 2014 Torquay Rail Link Design Report document outlines the placement of the corridor, which runs through Warralily Estate’s coast precinct, and a 2018 Geelong Line Upgrade update document reveals planning work for future land use of the area.

Public transport through the Geelong-Torquay transit corridor is one of G21’s priority projects, with the lobby group calling for at least $130m in government funding to deliver connections to the rapidly growing Armstrong Creek and Surf Coast.

Site of proposed Torquay Transit Corridor. Surf Coast Hwy is on the left, western end of Warralily Blvd top right.

Newland Developers sales and marketing manager Victoria and Queensland, Sally Steinkrug, said the company had told all initial land buyers near the corridor about the potential future development. However there is no requirement for individual sellers to disclose the transit corridor plans during subsequent sales of affected properties.

About 70 houses sit directly adjacent to the TTC.

“Residents in the vicinity were advised that the land had been designated a future transit corridor during the land sales process,” she said.

Ms Steinkrug said the precinct structure plan (PSP) allowed Newland Developers to establish the amenities “to either side of the corridor”.

Danielle Powell with daughter Evie Rose.

She said future use of the corridor may include rail, trackless tram or another mode of transport “to benefit connectivity of the Armstrong Creek area”.

“We have not had communication from the Department of Transport or any government authority on the proposed use or timing,” Ms Steinkrug said.

The estate masterplan shows constructed amenities for residents, on either side of the rail reserve land, such as playgrounds, a barbecue area and a fitness station.

Warralily coast resident Danielle Powell said she would move out of the estate before any construction takes place.

Ms Powell, who has two young children, has been living in the estate for eight years.

She said that while Newland Developers informed her of the TTC and possibility of a rail line construction, the impression was given that “it won’t happen”.

“It wasn’t like it was definitely going to happen,” she said.

“It was like ‘we just have to tell you, but it may or may not occur’.”

“I’ve (been) living here for eight years and it hasn’t happened yet, so I’m sort of thinking it might be another 10 before it happens,” she said.

“We probably will move before then.

“It’s not like I want to sell now. It’s not happening today.”

A Department of Transport spokesman said the department is “currently undertaking planning work to consider transport options to link the growing Armstrong Creek community”.

“The Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area is one of regional Victoria’s fastest growing areas – so it’s critical to get on with this important transport planning to benefit locals and make it easier for them to get to where they need to go,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Documents reveal transit corridor running through developed estate