Committee for Lorne does NOT Support GORCAPA’s Draft Urban Design Framework for Point Grey

Following the release in May of a draft Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the future development of Point Grey by Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), the Lorne community has had a month to provide feedback on the draft UDF via a survey on GORCAPA’s website. GORCAPA has also canvassed views from various groups including members of Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club and Lorne Historical Society. Both these organizations have provided formal feedback on the UDF and both have expressed the view that community aspirations have not had sufficient consideration. Committee for Lorne met last week and ratified a submission to GORCAPA expressing our disappointment and concerns about the content of the draft UDF and its plans for Point Grey

The following is the submission Committee for Lorne has made to GORCAPA:

“At a recent general meeting of Committee for Lorne, a resolution was passed that we communicate to GORCAPA, in the strongest possible terms, our frustration and disappointment with the content of the recently released draft Urban Design Framework for Point Grey, Lorne.

There are serious deficiencies in the draft UDF and in no way do we consider that it is a representation of community aspirations for Point Grey. If the ideas and plans contained in the UDF were to be implemented, Point Grey will be a inferior? lesser place than it is now. We totally reject this plan for the future of Point Grey.

By way of background, the Committee for Lorne organisation comprises representative of most community organisations in Lorne. It is an incorporated association that:
• represents the wider community of Lorne, including all residents and property owners,
• acts as the focal point for the extended community on matters including social, planning and environmental issues, impacting the broader community,
• acts as an advocate with Local, State and Federal government agencies and departments,
• is a reference point for external groups and agencies who wish to consult with or undertake works and projects which might impact the Lorne community.

We believe there are specific problems with the UDF which will impact its functionality and acceptance by the Lorne community. These include:
• Dramatic reduction in parking to less than 50% of current available parking.
• Lack of any clear articulation of the food and drinks premises.
• Lack of any space for an interpretive display of the European history and importance of Point Grey to the social and economic fabric of our community, including history of Tourism from 1870s and the Timber and Fishing industries.
• A broad public open space in the most exposed area of Point Grey at the expense of parking. If visitors to Lorne want public open space, they will go to the Foreshore and the Beach. When visitors come to Point Grey, the public open space they seek is the Pier, the Aquatic Club and a dining facility.
• The lack of boat washing facilities for fishers who launch from Point Grey. This transfers an environmental hazard to the streets and homes of Lorne. Not acceptable.
• The lack of delineation and fencing of an outdoor area associated with the Aquatic Club presents issues of licensing, safety and crowd management. Once again, not acceptable.

• The proposed location of the new toilet block seems highly illogical. Given the likely level of visitation to the education garden on the mid-level and the majority of foot traffic coming from overflow parking to the Pier, Aquatic Club and “dining facility” the proper location should be on the mid -level at the opposite end of the space from the existing toilet block.

We believe that there have been a number of issues with the process of community engagement which have resulted in such a disconnect between the UDF and community aspirations for Point Grey. These include:
• An apparent lack of continuity between the consultation conducted between GORCAPA and the Community Co-design Group (CCDG) back in 2021/22, and the consultation with the Point Grey Community Reference Group (CRG) conducted between December 2023 and now. We expected that the design produced through collaboration between GORCAPA, the architects, Baldasso Cortese and the CCDG, which received strong support from the Lorne Community, would be the starting point for the future work of the CRG. It was not to be and, to this day, there is no understanding as to why this didn’t occur. This lack of continuity might well have been impacted by the significant change in GORCAPA personnel associated with the project over these past four years.
• It is concerning that the CRG does not seem to have spent much time in recent months in consultation with the current architects ensuring that the architects understood community expectations for Point Grey.
• It would appear that in the preparation of the UDF there has been extensive consultation between the authors of the document, Human Habitats, and the Registered Aboriginal Party for the region, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation. To our knowledge, Human Habitats spent zero time in consultation with the Community Reference Group, organisations within the Lorne Community with a vested interest in the outcome for Point Grey, or even members of the Community.
• We are concerned that GORCAPA are following the letter of the law and untried policies as they relate to development of facilities on coastal property at the expense of community expectations. GORCAPA is the current custodian of land which has served the community of Lorne for over 150 years. We expect that GORCAPA would demonstrate a stronger will to ensure that the development at Point Grey serves and meets the needs of the community and our many thousands of visitors.

The Urban Design Framework does not encourage us in any way to expect an outcome at Point Grey which the community will celebrate. In all conscience, we cannot support this document.

We would like this communication to be treated as Committee for Lorne’s response to the UDF Survey.

As a voice for the wider Community of Lorne, we intend to pursue all avenues available to us to ensure that Lorne gets the Point Grey development it deserves.”

Committee for Lorne

 

A word from the chairman

Hello
The Committee for Lorne held its regular quarterly meeting last week, with a busy agenda. We welcomed new members, Janet Goud representing the Lorne Op Shop and the Lorne Independent, and Heath Armstrong representing the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club, as well as Leon Walker, one of our ward councillors.
The following reports were received:
• Principal Carly Stafford reported on the Lorne P-12 College. Enrolments are increasing, with 15 preps and 22 year 7s for next year, 32 students currently in years 11/12 and total enrolment of 170 students. Last year’s Year 12 students obtained 3 perfect scores and one Premier’s Award in Music, a tribute to their teachers and their own commitment.

• David Worth reported on the activities of the reactivated Lorne Business and Tourism Association (LBTA) which now has 43 active members and is looking at new ways to attract, inform and accommodate our tourist visitors.

• David also reported on the Gran Fondo cycling festival which comes to town again this year from 16-19 October. This year’s event includes the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, which is an international event and together with Amy’s Gran Fondo is expected to attract approximately 6,000 local and international competitors. All accommodation in Lorne is already fully booked for the duration of the event.

• Janet Goud reported on the continuing success of the Op Shop’s fundraising efforts and its willingness to support needy local causes.

• Heath Armstrong expressed the Surf Club’s desire to engage more with the wider community. He also noted that there had been 68 rescues during volunteer times at Lorne beach last summer. This reinforces the need for increased education and vigilance about the dangers of the ocean.

The following issues were also discussed:
• Concern was expressed about the lack of action or information about plans for the Foreshore/Pool precinct and it was agreed to request an in-person report from GORCAPA for our next meeting.
• The upcoming housing meetings with Surf Coast Shire to be held in July were discussed. The purpose of these meetings is to scope the housing needs of the Lorne community with a view to progressing solutions.
• The Committee endorsed the submission to GORCAPA in response to the Urban Design Framework (see adjoining article).

*****
The Lorne Football and Netball Club had a successful weekend, hosting Birregurra at Stribling Reserve, with 3 of 5 football teams and 3 of 7 netball teams winning. Highlights included the A Grade netball where Sade Stafford shot a remarkable 43 goals of 47 in a nail-biting draw.
In the football seniors, the Dolphins came from being behind in the third quarter to storm home with an 8 goal last quarter, to win by 57 points and take top spot on the ladder. A remarkable effort, highlighted by the goal kicking of James Hughes with 7 and Charlie McCartin with 6 in his first game for the season.
Well done to all our Dolphins players and support crew!

Cheers

Lorne Ward Events Calendar

July

6 – LAAC Winter Comp No 2. lines down after 6am, weigh in at the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club at 12:30 followed by BBQ lunch.

19 – Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Otway Districts at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8:45am, seniors at 2pm

August

3 – LAAC Winter Comp No 3. lines down after 6am, weight in at the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club at 12.30 followed by BBQ lunch.

9 – Lorne Dolphins Football and Netball V Western Eagles, at Stribling Reserve, juniors match from 8.45am, seniors at 2pm.