Point Grey plans ignore town’s heritage, residents say

MEMBERS of the Lorne community gathered earlier today (Sunday, November 9) to express their concerns about the proposals put forward for the redevelopment of Point Grey.

The Committee for Lorne (CFL) hosted a meeting, attended by about 180 people, at the Stribling Reserve pavilion.

CFL chair John Higgins said the meeting was in response to what seemed like “very little reaction to the plans for the Co-op building”.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) released a draft version of Point Grey’s Urban Design Framework (UDF) on May 27, which proposed three new buildings: a casual food premise, a new Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club building, and new public toilets.

Following public feedback, GORCAPA released the final version of the UDF on September 1, which added a boat wash facility and public fish cleaning station, redesigned the open space area near the pier to accommodate multiple uses, and relocated the new public toilets within a new building that will replace the old co-op.

At today’s meeting, CFL outlined what it described as four major concerns:

• Lack of transparency and community consultation in the development of the plans for the new building
• Lack of intent to properly showcase the European history of Point Grey and its importance to the social and economic development of Lorne since the 1870s
• The proposed cafe of 10 seats falls well short of what was discussed in Community Reference Groups over the past two years, and is so small that it limits the possibilities of dining options, and
• Functional aspects of the proposed design that will affect use over time.

Speaking at the meeting, Lorne Historical Society (LHS) president Jan Spring said GORCAPA’s plan for Point Grey did not do justice to the site.

“I’m sure you all have your own thoughts on what should happen inside the new Co-op building, but having just toilets and a café insults the memories of these people who helped make Lorne a place we all love.

“The Lorne Historical Society needs a space within this building to honour the history of Point Grey. It’s not too much to ask.

“To date, GORCAPA’s so called consultation on the new Co-op building has been divisive, secretive and unproductive.”

She said LHS had spent nine months discussing the Co-op building with GORCAPA.

“Although some ideas have been incorporated, such as the look of the original building, GORCAPA have not listened to what we want and refuse to discuss the interior layout of the building.”

As a proposed solution, CFL is calling on GORCAPA to redesign the Co-Op building, and is seeking:

• A return to the promised indoor floor plan of 230sqm
• A viable indoor/outdoor cafe similar in ambience and area to the Apollo Bay Co-op building
• A space for presentation and interpretation of Lorne’s history including European history
• Professional curation funded by the community, if necessary, and
• Engagement in meaningful consultation and communication with the Lorne community to ensure the new Co-op meets community expectations.

Mr Higgins said GORCAPA representatives were invited to today’s meeting but declined to attend.