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ON THE HOOK: Club frustrated at progress of development

June 30, 2022 BY

Designs for an upgrade of Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club are under review. Photo: MATT WORLAND.

STATE authorities are yet to finalise designs of a proposed redevelopment of Lorne’s Point Grey as ongoing project delays frustrate local stakeholders.

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a new Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club (LAAC) building as part of the $10 million project but has remained tight-lipped on project specifics as club leaders become increasingly agitated at the pace of progress.

LAAC commodore Keith Miller recently shared his concerns via social media, with the club still in the dark about timelines and designs of the much-needed upgrade of its oceanfront clubhouse will start years after it had been promised.

“This is a very unfortunate situation considering not long ago the plans for our new clubhouse were finalised, except for the boat wash,” Mr Miller stated.

“We can’t let this drag on any longer. It’s been 14 years now and I’ve got a feeling that there are several government departments that don’t want us there.”

Mr Miller also raised fears that a $900,000 federal government contribution for the club’s upgrade was also in doubt, but state authorities indicated they had no plans to change funding allocations.

RDV said meetings to progress the project were ongoing.

“The Victorian government is working with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) and funding partners to ensure the Point Grey redevelopment project suits the needs of the community now and into the future,” a spokesperson said.

“This includes regularly meeting with key stakeholders to work through the project planning requirements.”

The LAAC upgrade had money reserved for its upgrade as part of a $8 million federal government contribution to the project through the $500 million Geelong City Deal. The club contributed $450,000 of its own cash for a redevelopment.

Mr Miller had called on authorities in April to consider a refurbishment instead of a complete rebuild of the clubhouse, and the club has lobbied for a staged development for its project to be considered separately to the contentious saga regarding the site’s Fishermen’s Co-Op.

The Surf Coast Shire council approved state plans for the precinct in mid-2020, which were eventually thrown out earlier this year following a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) appeal from community members.

GORCAPA chief executive officer Jodie Sizer said a project team was “continuing to review all elements of the Point Grey redevelopment project in light of the VCAT decision”.

The authority still expects construction at the Point Grey precinct to start this year, according to its project website.

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