Report outlines opportunities, constraints for Point Grey

A JUST-completed report will inform future design options for the long-running proposal to redevelop the Point Grey precinct in Lorne.

Today (Wednesday, October 23), the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority released an Opportunities and Constraints Report as part of the master planning and design process for the site.

The report’s completion is the first of six phases in the project’s delivery.

In March this year, the authority initiated a community values survey to guide the revision of the masterplan for the redevelopment of Point Grey.

This followed a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal determination in 2022, which rejected the original plan for a 160-person restaurant at the site.

Head Consultants NMBW Architecture Studio prepared the Opportunities and Constraints Report in collaboration with Architecture Associates, GLAS Landscape Architecture and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

It was informed by a review of government legislation, alongside feedback from the local community, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, project stakeholders, specialist assessments, and the analysis of a range of site-specific factors.

The report outlines significant opportunities, such as the potential to:

• Celebrate the site’s maritime past and provide ongoing support to recreational angling
• Increase accessible and equitable access to the coastal edge
• Protect Eastern Maar Cultural heritage places and values
• Develop a rigorous Coastal Adaptation Plan to build resilience to coastal hazard risk, and
• Manage conflicting pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Practical issues around the safe and efficient movement of boat trailers, tourist bus drop-off and pick up points, structural integrity of the Fisherman’s Co-operative building, as well as appropriate car parking, bicycle use, and pedestrian accessibility will be factored into any revised design options.

A draft Urban Design Framework and masterplan for the precinct is anticipated to be released in early 2025.

An in-person Community Information Session about the project will be held at Stribling Reserve, 45 Otway Street Lorne, on Wednesday, October 30 from 10am to 12 noon.

“The Opportunities and Constraints summary report details the complex set of requirements and diverse factors that we must consider and understand at Point Grey,” Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority director of infrastructure and planning Cath Olive said.

“Point Grey’s unique opportunities and constraints will inform master planning for the precinct.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Community Reference Group, and other stakeholders, to progress this exciting project.”

To read the summary report, head to haveyoursay.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/point-grey-redevelopment