Torquay Bowls Club’s planning application outcome

The planning application was lodged with Council on 30 May 2025 by the Torquay Bowls Club.

Consent for the application was also provided by:

• The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) as the public land manager, and
• The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) as the Committee of Management.

The proposal includes the redevelopment of the Torquay Bowls Club, comprising:

• A new bowling green.
• Additions to the existing clubhouse.
• New lighting.
• Reconfigured car parking, resulting in a net increase of 9 spaces.
• Removal of vegetation, including 16 Moonah trees along the northern boundary, and other vegetation.

All proposed works are entirely within the Bowls Club site.

No works or vegetation removal will occur within Taylor Park.

We have resolved to support the planning application and have issued a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit.

This means we intend to grant a permit with conditions of approval. Objectors have 28 days from the date of the Notice of Decision to lodge an appeal with VCAT.

If no appeal is lodged within that period, we will issue the final Planning Permit.

We supported the redevelopment because:

• The Torquay Bowls Club has operated on this site for over 100 years. It plays an important role on the community, and the redevelopment will provide improved facilities and support increased community participation.
• The Moonah trees proposed for removal were planted by the Bowls Club and are estimated to be around 25 years old. They are not considered to have heritage value and do not require planning approval for their removal.
• The proposal aligns strongly with the strategic planning policies of the Surf Coast Planning Scheme.
• It appropriately responds to the Heritage Overlay.
• It provides adequate car parking.

Overall, the proposal is considered to deliver a clear net community benefit.

The application was advertised in October 2025 via:

• 169 letters sent to affected properties.
• One public notice sign displayed on site.

We received 40 objections during the notice period.

Additionally, the Bowls Club undertook separate community engagement outside the statutory planning process. The application was prepared in consultation with GORCAPA, who supported the concurrent public notice.

The key issues raised in objections included:

• Removal of native vegetation (including the Moonah trees) and concerns about insufficient offset planting.
• Loss of biodiversity and bird habitat resulting from vegetation removal.
• Traffic and parking impacts.
• Perceived lack of community consultation.
• Loss of public green space.
• Potential encroachment into the Tree Protection Zones of trees within Taylors Park.
• Increased noise and light spill.
• Visual bulk and scale of the proposed new buildings.

There are conditions included in the Notice of Decision that address a number of these concerns, particularly those relating to tree protection, noise, light spill, and the requirement for a Traffic Management Plan.

For a detailed summary of objections and our responses, please refer to the delegate report.

We have included a condition requiring that the Moonah trees must be retained on site and cannot be removed until redevelopment works have commenced.

Separate approvals will be required from DEECA for offset planting opportunities within Taylor Park.

A building permit will also be required before any works can commence.