Club’s plea fails to reel in support

LORNE Aquatic and Angling Club (LAAC) has lost its battle to retain its outdoor beer garden after appeals to save the area failed to sway decision makers.

The club has removed its Outer Sanctum dining area after a weeks-long campaign to save the space following a take-down order from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA).

The authority had granted LAAC a temporary exemption to its Crown lease to use an area of public space for outdoor dining during COVID-19.

The permit expired on June 30, with GORCAPA earlier this year instructing LAAC to remove its makeshift space.

Club officials indicated they had exhausted all avenues urging the authority to reconsider its decision, but conceded defeat earlier this month.

“What’s done is done so we will have to accept it and move onto our next battle: the redevelopment of our club house,” the club stated online.

LAAC had argued that the land’s use as a dining area provided greater public benefit than returning it to a car park, and had offered to swap a similar-sized footpath and grass area that is part of its lease to maintain the current provision of public land at the Point Grey precinct.

“We are extremely disappointed with GORCAPA’s decision to force us to remove the outer sanctum later this month,” it stated earlier this month.

“COVID hasn’t magically disappeared, it’s actually getting worse. We are taking up no car parks, it’s a lot safer and more comfortable for our members and visitors and everyone loves it.”

The club had also raised concerns about how it would cater for its full membership base – which had skyrocketed during the pandemic – as summer ramped up without its popular outdoor space.

LAAC remains in discussions with GORCAPA and other state authorities about its new clubhouse as part of the Point Grey redevelopment, for which the state government is drafting a new masterplan after reconsidering its plans for the former Fishermen’s Co-Op.