Committee chair gets to work on key Lorne issues

SOLVING Lorne’s housing crisis is the top priority for new Committee for Lorne chair John Higgins.

Continued planning for the Point Grey redevelopment and working on a resolution for the long-term future of the Lorne Pool Precinct are also front of mind for the local advocacy organisation.

Mr Higgins took over the role from outgoing leader Ian Stewart, who stepped down after 10 years during the past month.

Mr Higgins said he moved to Lorne full time during COVID-19 after a long connection to the town as a visitor.

His short time as a permanent Lorne resident has already seen him heavily involved in the local community, including as treasurer and formerly secretary of the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club, sitting on the Community Co-Design Group that helped deliver a new restaurant concept for Point Grey, and on the financial advisory committee of the local Catholic parish.

His tenure with the committee has only lasted six months since an invitation from the former chair to become involved, and then to take the top role in recent weeks.

“I’m learning that there are lots of different organisations and there are a number of different views about various things. Not everyone is in total agreement about everything,” Mr Higgins said.

“[The committee] is not intended to cut across any of the other organisations in town, but more to try and coordinate, cut out duplication and to provide central advocacy for the town and all its community and sporting groups,” he said.

“But that there are some key issues that really come to float to the top, if you like, that are requiring attention.”

Among those primary issues is Lorne’s affordable housing crisis, for which the committee has recently published a detailed report highlighting the extent of the problem and potential solutions to enact locally and at state and federal government level.

“What really makes Lorne what it is, is the fact that it is a living community. It’s not just a seaside town,” Mr Higgins said.

“It has a great school, has a great hospital and medical centre, and we just need to make sure that that continues.”

Mr Higgins said the committee was also keen to continue engaging with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority on the Point Grey precinct as well as long-term leasing and improvement arrangements for the Lorne Pool Precinct.