Lorne design group reveals new Point Grey plans

LORNE’S former Fishing Co-Operative would be demolished to make way for a new restaurant but elements of its design would remain intact, under the latest plans released by a design committee for the Point Grey precinct.

The Point Grey Community Co-Design Group (CDDG) cited structural problems with the existing building and budget constraints for the demolition, as it revealed new concept plans this week.

The group has proposed to salvage original timber and bricks from the former Co-Op, “and repurpose them in the new building where possible”.

Concept plans, released Monday, show a restaurant with capacity for at least 140 patrons, including 40 outdoors, at the current Co-Op site.

A proposed new building would also include a small kiosk and multi-purpose display space for community uses such as heritage displays and artwork.

The new restaurant would have a similar design and scale to the existing Lorne Pier Seafood Restaurant at Point Grey, after the CDDG canned plans for a Beacon building that had sparked community outrage.

Other key changes from 2018 plans include removal of a barbecue pavilion and toilet block due to cultural sensitivities and changes to car parking layout, though the number of spaces will remain the same.

Meanwhile, GORCAPA has indicated that some design issues were still under consideration; including traffic flow surrounding the site’s boat wash, public artwork and external materials for Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club’s new home.

The CCDG was formed by the project’s manager, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), in November last year to involve representatives from a host of community stakeholder groups and architects in the design process of the $10 million Point Grey project.

The CDDG provided advice on plans for the Co-Op site but has not endorsed or reviewed the wider site plan.

GORCAPA CEO Jodie Sizer co-chaired the CDDG alongside Committee for Lorne chairman Ian Stewart, and said the group’s discussions had been a “positive process”.

“The level of shared community knowledge and leadership has been incredibly valuable,” Ms Sizer said.

“We’ve had some robust conversations with the community, CCDG and stakeholders, and while there are challenges ahead, we feel we’ve achieved an outcome that acknowledges and respects the history and cultural significance of the site.”

The Authority will host public webinars for residents to have their say in the coming weeks, on February 28 and March 5.

It has also released a survey for people to submit their views, which has a cutoff of March 11.

Feedback options and new concept plans are available online.