Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – August 16, 2018

There’s been some very interesting commentary across the press in recent weeks promoting how, if elected, the Liberal Nationals Government will create a new Great Ocean Road Authority to manage designated Crown Land along the Great Ocean Road. This new authority would supposedly replace existing organisations including local government, Parks Victoria, DELWP and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) that currently manage Crown Land along the coast.

According to the leader of the State Opposition, Mr Matthew Guy, who openly recognises the Great Ocean Road as one of Victoria’s greatest assets and the longest war memorial in the world, has commented “Governments have a duty to ensure that icons like the Great Ocean Road are looked after and maintained; a Liberal Nationals Government I lead will make sure that happens”, he said.

Local Member for Polwarth Mr Richard Riordan commented “Local residents, businesses, and tour operators within the region have been asking for a more coherent and cooperative approach to management of the area. These reforms deliver the necessary changes to help boost the local economy, protect and create jobs, and ensure the future of this marvellous environmental asset”.

This vision is a view actively shared by a number of local people and organisations but is not likely to evolve overnight and we need to stay supportive of the Governance Structure that exists today. GORRC, for example, is a not for profit organisation that consists of a volunteer board that give up their time for an environment they are passionate about, in working toward their vision of “World-leading environmental protection and coastal experiences for all.”

The GORCC Board has, over the past two years, been as aggressive towards delivering a Point Grey outcome as at any stage of the previous 10 and the have taken the community along with them as they strive to create an outcome that everyone can be proud of. This collaborative approach is one that must underpin whatever Governance Model is adopted in the future.

The same can be said with the Surf Coast Shire (SCS) and their award winning Governance model for the Stribling Reserve Master Plan. In their award submission documentation they summarised as follows, “Tensions have long existed between Government Bodies and the Lorne Community in relation to the provision of public services. Recognising this, a partnership approach between the Lorne Community and the Surf Coast Shire was formed to develop the Stribling Reserve Masterplan”.

After lobbying extensively for a review of the Lorne Structure Plan 2003, we are excited to hear that the process is about to begin and we are hopeful that the success of the Stribling Reserve Master Planning process and the changing attitude of the Surf Coast Shire towards Community Partnerships will create a great pathway forward!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne