Committee For Lorne: A word from the Chairman – October 18, 2018

A very busy week in Lorne on a number of different fronts but with volunteering front and centre of most local activities. The Committee for Lorne (CfL) has been very proactive “behind the scenes” as the Lorne Structure Plan 2003 is about to be reviewed and our priority has been to support a Governance model involving a higher level of community input than your more traditional and formal Structure planning process.

We have had very productive meetings with the senior Surf Coast Shire Planning Officers and CEO Keith Baillie as they work to produce a model that can best facilitate the community’s aspirations which have been articulated over recent years. The outcomes of these discussions will be unveiled over the coming months and we feel confident that our input will assist in producing the best possible outcome for our Community to have effective input into the planning process.

The CfL has also been busily collating the feedback of the community workshops of the past eighteen months and, under the guidance of Steve Atkinson, of REOS consultants, we are in the process of including this feedback, and other relevant information, into “Version 2” of our Vision for Lorne, “Achieving Lorne’s Aspirations”, a critical piece of work for the upcoming Structure Planning Process.

Last weekend two off duty, junior members of the Lorne Surf Club were involved in the rescue of two school children at the Lorne beach, another incredible example of members that came through the Surf Club Nipper program in the U/7’s many years ago applying their skills some 10 years later. A very special “well done” to Ruby McMaster and Billy Bowden on their heroic efforts!

This time last week here in Lorne, the Minister for Energy, Environment & Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio and the Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren, announced the recommended 26 reforms as outlined in the Great Ocean Road Action Plan. The Independent Co-Chairs of the taskforce, Terry Mulder and Peter Batchelor, carefully considered the community feedback from 780 face to face conversations and 570 survey responses and submissions.

The major reforms detailed in the action plan include legislation that recognises and protects the coast, parks and scenic landscapes along the road as the “one integrated and living entity”. A dedicated (Statutory) Coast and parks agency with an independent, skills based board, to manage, and be publicly accountable for, the protection of the environment, sustainable visitation and delivery of government investment.

For further information and all the recommendations in full go to www.engage.vic.gov.au and if you’re available, there is a Community Information forum at the Lorne Community House on Saturday October 20 from 10am to 11am.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne