Homogeneity … being ‘all the same’: ‘of the same kind’: ‘ensuring a mixture [or region] of uniform design’.

I love MasterChef. I never miss it. A devotee, fan, groupie … I am all and each, even if I cannot cook to save myself—a culinary triumph is two burnt chops and three steamed ‘veg’. As the contestants stir and blend ‘silky homogeneity’ into their sauce, broth, or jus, I realise that homogeneity does have its place! Though nothing can replace M-C until next year, The Great Pottery Throwdown is an enjoyable stop-gap.

Homogeneity of a different kind infests the urban landscapes of Middle America and Canada. The impact of ‘sameness’ hit home as I skirted the Canadian city of Calvary … every home was identical, row upon row, in multiples of a hundred as far as the eye could see. I can only pray that Albanese’s much-vaunted Labor policy to build 1.2 million new homes within five years does not replicate the American dream in our outer suburbs, though, to be truthful, we are likely safe as there’s a snowflakes chance that it will happen.

Some homogeneity or ‘management’ is acceptable: for example, it may give odd comfort to know that a Macca’s hamburger will be the same in Perth as it is in Geelong if, heaven forbid, one has a favourite Macca’s burger! ‘Sameness’ imparts a sense of stability, security, and control … a reassurance of predictable quality or design. Yet, there are risks in striving for ‘sameness’. Nothing can more quickly eradicate individuality, uniqueness, the stamp of personality, or the unexpected pleasures of ‘the quirky’ than dull, repetitive design.

Had I the misfortune to live in the housing development [pictured], I would go bonkers … yet that monstrous example of suburban homogeneity is precisely what that council and its local building regulations approved—and a soulless developer agreed to build.

Granted, making endless copies of one design offers economies of scale and cost: overheads trend lower, intellectual inventiveness of council architects and engineers is less demanding, and build-time is quicker. But proportionately, the landscape and ambience will almost always be the poorer.

I do not suggest our Surf Coast is as yet under similar risk—far from it—but there are potential pitfalls when appointing a single managing entity. GORCAPA, now the legislated overlord for all infrastructure and amenities along an unbroken coastline from Torquay to Warrnambool [including within all townships]—and even dipping inland to tourist ‘attractions’ like Erskine Falls, must resist the temptation to clone Torquay in Lorne … or replicate Lorne in Apollo Bay. It must avoid turning all [or any] of our distinctive townships into twee [read faux] reproductions of the Californian coast—or of each other.

A recent full-page GORCAPA advertisement in the Surf Coast Times piqued my unease. Cath Olive [its Torquay-based acting CEO] stated with evident pride: “… over the past three-and-a-half years, we [GORCAPA] have been progressively taking on more responsibilities and expanding our functions. This regularly sees sea and land parcels previously managed by a range of other organisations transferring to us. This is gradually reducing the complex and fragmented management arrangements that have been in place for decades.”

As GORCAPA does seem to be slowly gaining traction after a shaky start, I sensed a certain danger in her phrase: ‘… gradually reducing the complex and fragmented management arrangements’.

While sameness has not yet left its mark on our coast, it could be tempting to seek economies of scale by bending local topography to a single design rather than designing to a varied landscape. As mediocre temptation is best countered before it takes hold, we must encourage resistance to any inclination to cut corners and costs through repetition where the chance to be unique and special beckons … even if more difficult.

Consider the initial proposal to replace the foreshore toilet block at the bottom end of Grove Road. While an internal refurbishment is appropriate, the existing sturdy treated pine exterior and undulating roofline have long blended well with its surroundings. It was thus a shock to view the architect’s drawings for iteration #1 [pictured] when first released. It resembled a low-cost suburban shop-front.

As ever, when this bad idea surfaced, the Lorne community outcry was strident. Luckily, the project returned to the drawing board. Iteration #2 [pictured] is a little better [though only a little], as a toilet block should whisper ‘blend’, not shriek ‘statement’.

Nevertheless, thank you, GORCAPA, for finally listening. It was clear that architect #1 had no affinity for the town or its ambience—and perhaps never even visited the site. Meanwhile, the $$s wasted on the first [and poor] design have never been published.

Great care is needed when integrating local amenities with local ambience. The pier and Point Grey design must blend with Lorne’s sweeping beach and forests; the [potential] Eden Project must complement Anglesea’s riverside culture; the unique harbour and fishing port must reflect Apollo Bay; Port Campbell must cuddle its intimate cove; stark Peterborough brace in its wind … all hamlets along the surf coast have individualities to preserve. Just as each expresses a unique character and individual charm acquired over decades of local township management unfettered by the hand of government, each demands thoughtful, site-suited coastal amenities.

As an exemplar of sympathetic, integrated craftsmanship, look no further than the beautiful replacement handrails designed and installed by the Men’s Shed at the hospital entrance. Well done, guys—and GORCAPA, take note.

As the personalities within multiple local community groups and townships differ—indeed, this is their ultimate charm—fractious opinions and people [like me] will always be encountered. Though this can frustrate, a good administration must patiently hear all views [and preferably on site], then action community wishes as faithfully and diligently as possible. Management must make every effort to preserve the individuality of each town and site in its final design.

Finally, GORCAPA … please, no more surveys … especially regarding the troubled Lorne Pier and Point Grey ‘Precinct’ and the deeply loved Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club. It should be abundantly clear that both are enormously important to the community and that opinions will not alter, no matter how many surveys are run. All Lorne seeks is an understated, low-key, unobtrusive, and site-sympathetic solution that allows the wild beauty of the place to be the jewel.

And as for the descriptor ‘precinct’… how I loathe the word. Indeed, I shudder to have used it at all. Can’t we drop the ‘precinct thing’ and just call it Point Grey?

John Agar
Feature Writer

A word from the chairman

Hello
I was recently told that I have a ”privileged position”. While I chose not to explore or respond to this insult (or compliment!), I think in context it related not to my happy family upbringing, my non-government education or my idyllic life in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but to my volunteer role as Chair of the Committee for Lorne and specifically my voice through this column. In my 18 months of writing this column I have received many compliments and few complaints, so why would I choose to be controversial now? It is because with leadership comes responsibility and with voice, the obligation to speak out when required.

Two of the maxims that I have always tried to live by are, “Evil flourishes when good men do nothing” and “The behaviours you walk past are the behaviours you accept”. So how is this relevant and especially applicable to Lorne? The occasion is the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist atrocity on Israel. I was shocked to be reminded of the 1200 (including 766 civilians) who were slaughtered and the 250 taken hostage to suffer unthinkable physical and psychological torture. It would come as a surprise to no-one that Israel responded to try to rescue the hostages and to track down the perpetrators. So, what do the terrorist cowards do? They use human shields, hiding in and below hospitals and schools. This has led to unspeakable civilian death, injury, homelessness and suffering.

So, what happens in our safe, secure, inclusive and peace-loving Australian cities. Noisy minorities turn the terrorists into heroes and the victims into murderers. They march the streets of our cities preaching hatred and fear, destruction of the state of Israel and death to Jews, while glorifying the barbaric Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists. Worse still, they turn their anger on individuals who have lived peacefully in our country, far from the horrors that many of them and their families suffered in the dark distant past, to now be confronted by a new wave of hatred and fear.
We must stand together to protect our freedom, our freedom of speech and the safety of all our citizens. I hope that the people of Lorne stand with me in rejecting any form of racial or religious vilification, and to ensure that we continue to be a welcoming and inclusive community for all who come to visit or stay in our special place.

Sorry, it had to be said!

******
This is my final reminder regarding the Surf Coast Shire elections. If you have not received your voting pack you should contact the Victorian Electoral Commission urgently at vec.vic.gov.au as all votes need to be mailed by Friday October 25, and you can be fined for not voting. Also remember that you must put a number in every box for your vote to be valid and count.

We urge you to use your vote wisely and vote for independent candidates who are focussed on local issues and not distracted by extraneous political issues.

Cheers

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

October

29 Run the Marsh, 3km walk, 2km & 5km fun run at 9am Frogwood Arboretum, Deans Marsh. Register at https://www.active.com/orgs/deans-marsh-community-cottage

November

2 – Lorne Market, 9-3pm https://www.lornemarkets.com/