What to know about Torquay
- In central Torquay and Jan Juc residential areas (SLO6), a planning permit is needed to remove, destroy or lop any Bellarine Yellow Gum or Moonah, any exotic tree over 5 metres or native vegetation over 3 metres, with exceptions such as dead vegetation and listed weeds.Source: Surf Coast Planning Scheme, Schedule 6 to the Significant Landscape Overlay
- Under DDO1 (Torquay Jan Juc coastal townscape character), landscape plans must show at least two canopy trees in the front setback, drawing mainly on indigenous species such as Bellarine Yellow Gum, Manna Gum, Drooping Sheoak and Moonah Woodland species.Source: Surf Coast Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to the Design and Development Overlay
- Torquay-Jan Juc neighbourhood character policy keeps front gardens open to the street by avoiding front fences or using low or open-style fences.Source: Surf Coast Planning Scheme, 15.01-5L-02 Torquay-Jan Juc preferred neighbourhood character
- The Surf Coast Bushfire Management Overlay Schedule 1 covers BAL-12.5 areas of Torquay and requires 30 metres of defendable space around a new dwelling, or to the boundary, and a landscape plan identifying indigenous vegetation to be removed or retained.Source: Surf Coast Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to the Bushfire Management Overlay
- Torquay had 8,351 private dwellings in the 2021 Census. 90.6% of occupied dwellings were separate houses and 51.0% had four or more bedrooms.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats, Torquay
What to know before landscaping in Torquay
Torquay is in the Surf Coast Shire, not Greater Geelong, so its own planning scheme applies. In central Torquay and Jan Juc, a planning permit is needed to remove, destroy or lop any Bellarine Yellow Gum or Moonah, any exotic tree over 5 metres or native vegetation over 3 metres (SLO6). Check before any clearing, even of a tree that seems to be in the way.
Front gardens and canopy trees
The town's character policy keeps front gardens open to the street, with no front fence or a low, open-style one (neighbourhood character policy). Where the coastal townscape overlay applies, landscape plans for new buildings must show at least two canopy trees in the front setback, mainly indigenous species such as Bellarine Yellow Gum, Manna Gum, Drooping Sheoak and Moonah (DDO1). That makes indigenous planting the default for a Torquay front garden.
Bushfire and the coast
Parts of Torquay are in the Bushfire Management Overlay, where a new home needs 30 metres of defendable space, or to the boundary, and a landscape plan showing which indigenous vegetation is removed or kept. The CFA notes coastal landscapes tend to be hot, dry and windy and their vegetation often highly flammable (CFA landscaping advice). Salt-tolerant coastal groundcovers, gravel paths and lawn near the house suit both the conditions and the rules.
Ready to talk to a landscaper? Request a free quote. We aim to pass your request to a local landscaper within one business day.