City Deal change could deliver Point Grey windfall

LORNE’S Point Grey redevelopment will have a boosted funding pool to design and deliver a new masterplan following a reshuffle of the Geelong City Deal.

The state government’s land manager will also take charge of additional city deal projects under the change announced this month.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) will lead an ongoing redevelopment of Apollo Bay Harbour and tourism improvements including car parking and new public toilets at Kennett River.

Both projects had previously been the responsibility of the Colac Otway Shire and are due to finish his year, having started construction.

However, the $5 million Apollo Bay (Wild Dog Creek) to Skenes Creek Coastal Trail was scrapped as part of the restructure.

The unspent $4 million from the trail fund will be redistributed across the remaining three projects in GORCAPA’s portfolio.

Point Grey, which previously had $10.5 million allocated under the City Deal, is set to be the biggest winner as the other builds near completion.

GORCAPA chief executive officer Jodie Sizer said the body would continue to engage with Lorne to deliver the long-awaited upgrade.

“These three projects are vital to enhancing the liveability and amenity of popular destinations along the Great Ocean Road for local communities and the millions of visitors to the region each year.

“Community engagement will be central to the delivery and success of all three projects, and we look forward to working with Traditional Owners, communities and stakeholders along the coast to deliver these transformative projects.”

The authority has managed the Point Grey project since it succeeded the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee in December 2020.

GORCAPA organised a community co-design group (CDDG) of Lorne residents, engineers and project managers to guide new plans for the site’s Fisherman’s Co-Operative building.

The CDDG process developed an idea in February to convert the historic building into a seafood restaurant instead of demolishing it as proposed in controversial earlier plans.

Group co-chair Ian Stewart said he looked forward to working with GORCAPA on future stages of the project.

“The Lorne community has worked alongside our government stakeholders for thirteen years now and early last year, for the first time, all around the table agreed on the proposed masterplan concept.

“We are looking forward to continuing the pathway forward and the great relationship we have built with the Authority, as we embark on resurrecting the works surrounding the masterplan and the outcomes that we unanimously believe are within reach.”