Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – November 1, 2018

In what has to be one of the biggest financial commitments in the history of Lorne, the Federal Government, through our local member Sarah Henderson MP, took centre stage at the Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club (LAAC) for the big announcement. On Saturday last, Sarah Henderson committed a total of $8m for the Point Grey Precinct, including an allocation specifically to the Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club of $900,000.

In what was an historic announcement for Victoria’s first City Deal announced by the Federal Government, Geelong, The Great Ocean Road Region, and Sarah’s electorate of Corangamite, were big winners with Lorne and Apollo Bay assured of financial contributions totaling $20M for Point Grey and the Apollo Bay Harbour, respectively amongst a raft of other financial pledges for the region.

It’s been a long journey for the Lorne Community, with first discussions around Point Grey commencing back in 2007 and for the first time, it appears that the delivery of an outcome is within sight. A lot of water has gone under the bridge (or the pier), many plans have been presented and many opinions have been expressed and exhibited along the journey. The landmark announcement effectively presses the green light for the project to proceed but there is still much work to be done.

The current outcomes are a great reward for those that have been working behind the scenes on this project for over a decade and with input from a large number of local Community Groups, individuals and the wider community stakeholders, it is one of the most thorough, and ongoing, consultation processes undertaken in Lorne. Even before the final detailed design is stamped, everyone in this Community can feel part of the process that has seen the delivery of the largest contribution of Government Funding in our history.

A lot off the “heavy lifting” is now complete but equally, the final designs and “cultural values and heritage” aspects are still requiring ongoing work and your continuing input is vital, but it’s an exciting time given the biggest hurdle was always going to be that of funding.

At Saturday evening’s announcement at the LAAC, past Commodores, Committee members and a great cross section of the community listened intently as Sarah announced the $8m contribution. In Sarah’s words “This is a very significant investment into a local project which will deliver a real boost to the Great Ocean Road visitor economy. Some 6.2 million people visit the Great Ocean Road region each year and the Point Grey redevelopment will make a real difference to the local community.”

On behalf of the Committee for Lorne we look forward to continuing our advocacy for the project and building on our strong relationship within the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee to assist in delivering a project for all to be proud of. And it goes without saying a very big thank you to Sarah Henderson!

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne