Council approve Point Grey redevelopment

LORNE’S Point Grey Precinct is set to undergo a $10 million redevelopment after the Surf Coast Shire council unanimously approved the plan for the precinct at last week’s council meeting.

As the planning applicant, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) has engaged in more than a decade of community consultation and redrafting.

The redevelopment will see the existing buildings inhabited by Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club (LAAC) and Lorne Pier Seafood demolished and replaced by more modern and spacious structures. It will also include the construction of a boardwalk and a lookout.

Lorne Ward councillor Clive Goldsworthy moved an amended motion, which included limiting the number patrons at the new LAAC to 200 at any one time, and also restricting the operating hours from 7am-10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am-8pm on Sunday.

At the meeting, Cr Goldsworthy acknowledged the divergent views on the plans but said he felt it was time to press forwards.

“The planning application before council has taken a long time in coming, and I’m sure there is always going to be debate on this final plan.

“Now the funding is in place thanks to the federal government, GORCC and the LAAC, it is time to move on. The application is very comprehensive, and in fact takes into account 47 various conditions being applied from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the CFA, Regional Roads, etc.”

Cr Brian Mckiterick said these conditions should comfort those concerned about the development.

“Of course people have different views in regards to some of the issues but there’s a number of stakeholders involved, a number of user groups.

“Viewing it, especially with those numerous conditions, it ensures that our environmental, historical and cultural values are kept.”

Friends of Lorne president Penny Hawe said the group felt that while the various groups involved had good intentions, the wrong decision had been made.

“It’s disappointing news for us.

“We’re aware the community was consulted in 2012 about what they wanted, and one of the options was to keep the original building, and I think at that point the community said ‘no, let’s look at something else.’

“But in that long period of people have lost confidence, and then by the end of 2019, 1,527 signed a petition saying they wanted to keep the original building and see it renovated and repurposed.”

“In the meantime when people saw the alternative, they did not feel it was the right sort of concept for a natural site; for a piece of architecture to be the attraction. We would prefer the natural environment to be the attraction.

“I can understand that GORCC would be frustrated as well, and people that are part of GORCC are members of this community as well. These are people all trying to do the right thing, everyone’s just got a different vision of what’s a good thing.”

This includes the LAAC, who will contribute $450,000 to the project.

LAAC secretary and treasurer David Worth said the club was pleased with the council’s decision as the LAAC needed improved facilities.

“I think it’s good in the sense there is now certainty as to the way forward.

“It’s 50 years old (the existing building). It’s probably a bit small for the amount of members we’ve got because we have over 1,000 members.”

He said the club was also mindful of the disparate views in the community surrounding the redevelopment and said it was eager to ensure the best outcome for everyone.

“We will have a good club building, I think there’s no doubt about that. We will put a lot of time and effort into making sure that around our building the heritage and history are carried forward.

“Our club certainly wants to work with GORCC to get this thing going.”