AN ARCHITECTURAL firm previously involved in the redevelopment of Lorne’s Point Grey precinct says the Fisherman’s Co-operative Building can be saved and is mounting a fresh challenge to plans that would see it demolished within weeks.<\/p>\n
RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants, who were engaged by community members in 2021 to assess the heritage value of the 1949 structure, argue the demolition is unnecessary and based on a misreading of both heritage conversation principles and engineering constraints.<\/p>\n
In a detailed statement sent to this masthead, the firm said the co-op was a defining remnant of Victoria’s historic “Couta Coast” \u2013 a network of seven fishing ports stretching from Portland to San Remo \u2013 and one of the last remaining buildings at Point Grey tied directly to Lorne’s fishing and timber industries.<\/p>\n
“Considering the community’s longstanding and continued commitment to saving and retaining the Fishing Co-op, this building is undoubtedly an exemplar of social significance at a local level,” the statement said.<\/p>\n
The firm said structural issues identified in engineering reports were largely confined to later, non-heritage additions, and the original brick masonry core could be retained through standard conservation techniques routinely use in heritage projects.<\/p>\n
“We understand that the Lorne Fishing Co-op is currently subject to several issues that need to be addressed, however these can be resolved without the need for a full demolition, and it is misleading to represent such issues as insurmountable.<\/p>\n
“Coastal erosion has caused some instability for the original footings which can be easily mitigated through existing and well-known architectural conservation techniques.”<\/p>\n
The firm said the demolition of the building was “premature”, would “sanitise the site of its heritage significance” and set a precedent for more invasive redevelopment schemes to take place along the Couta Coast.<\/p>\n
RBA Architects has also criticised the Great Ocean Coast and Parks Authority’s (GORCAPA) intention to salvage materials from the existing structure in building its replacement.<\/p>\n
“The existing proposal exhibits a fundamental misunderstanding of heritage conservation techniques, as it suggests that material salvage and reuse in this instance is a sufficient means of achieving heritage value retention,” the firm said.<\/p>\n
“Misuse of the idea that new buildings can be imbued with heritage value by using salvaged materials sets a dangerous precedent that demonstrates a false compatibility between unnecessary demolition and heritage conservation.”<\/p>\n
Demolition of the co-op is expected to begin in February as part of the Point Grey precinct’s broader redevelopment.<\/p>\n
RBA confirmed it is preparing to resubmit a nomination for the Lorne Fisherman’s Co-operative \u2013 along with other Couta Coast sites \u2013 to the Victorian Heritage Register in a bid to save it.<\/p>\n
GORCAPA maintains its position that demolition is the only viable option for the building, citing statutory planning requirements, coastal hazard constraints and independent engineering advice.<\/p>\n
This advice suggests the building and its existing slab have reached the end of their serviceable life due to damage including cracking, water ingress, damp and rust.<\/p>\n
It is understood the structure’s existing slab also does not meet building standards.<\/p>\n
“We understand the strong connection some in the community have with the old structure, so we have worked with local groups to refine the designs for the new Co-op and incorporate history across the precinct,” a GORCAPA spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“Responding to clear community support to respect the history of the structure, the proposed new Co-op pays homage to the historic section in its shape, roofline and footprint and we will be reusing materials where we can.<\/p>\n
“The design is able to obtain planning approval and meet all statutory requirements including modern building standards and coastal hazards.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN ARCHITECTURAL firm previously involved in the redevelopment of Lorne’s Point Grey precinct says the Fisherman’s Co-operative Building can be saved and is mounting a fresh challenge to plans that would see it demolished within weeks. RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants, who were engaged by community members in 2021 to assess the heritage value of […]<\/p>\n