Identified by the Victorian State Government’s Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Program and the Surf Coast Statement of Planning Policy (2022) as a ‘Future Urban Area,’ the Messmate Road Precinct on the northern edge of Torquay is subject to planning policies that protect the regionally significant Thompson Creek Valley from visual intrusion.

Hansen Partnership was engaged to provide detailed viewshed assessment and mapping for this precinct. Our visualisation team developed terrain models and viewshed maps to clearly define sightlines across the valley and mapped the ridgeline forming its southern edge. This work provided important guidance on landscape and urban design treatments along the interface, helping to safeguard the valley’s unique character.

The viewshed mapping informed the preparation of a comprehensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) to support the proposed development master plan.