Committee for Lorne: A word from the Chairman

In what can be seen as a refreshing change, and a first, last week I received a call from Bob Osburn, the Senior Community Engagement Officer – Great Ocean Road for VicRoads. Bob rang to discuss their plans for an electronic message sign on the eastern approach into Lorne. The proposed sign would be identical to the one located outside of Foodworks, an LED sign which enables VicRoads to focus the illumination on motorists as they approach.

Other signs are in the process of being commissioned at Port Campbell, Skenes Creek, Mount Duneed and Bellbrae and one has already been installed on the Anglesea Road once you leave the Princess Highway.

The six signs are designed to display travel time advice and emergency warnings for Great Ocean Road travellers.

Bob and his team are looking to come to Lorne to meet with Committee for Lorne (CfL) representatives to understand local
views on where best to position the eastbound sign. This is a great initiative from VicRoads to arrange what will be the first
“community consult” in Lorne with regards to signage. Whilst VicRoad’s agenda is about location of this sign, the collective
view of CfL members is that we need to go further and look at an overall signage plan for Lorne, of which VicRoads are an integral part. We have to start somewhere, and I believe the door is now open to commence these discussions.

Signage, whether it be the visual impact or the message, has been very big issue for the Lorne, other coastal towns and the Great Ocean Road over recent years.

The problems have been highlighted in emergency situations and planned closures around special events. Hopefully, this great initiative from Bob and his team will provide the opportunity to facilitate the broader discussion that is required – stay tuned.

This weekend the Lorne Dolphins open their account for the start of the 2019 Colac and District Football League season when our netballers and footballers travel to play the Western Eagles on their home turf, albeit a pretty hard home turf. Up until last Sunday preparations were underway to shift the game back to Stribling Reserve given the magnificent condition of our local playing surface, but all that changed when Mother Nature delivered 40mm of rain on the Irrewillipe Recreation Reserve with officials now deeming the ground as playable.

The local defending premiers are looking forward to a big year ahead with the return of a number of our talented juniors returning after playing in higher leagues.

Great to see Jack Hollmer returning to Lorne as Senior Coach and bring with him a wealthof experience and football knowledge that he gathered with distinguished stints with Geelong in the VFL and Port Fairy in the Hamden League. Good luck to all those running out to represent the Dolphins!