Point Grey Project – An Update

Last week I presented an overview of the Point Grey project as summarised by ArchitectureAU in a media publication that they put together and this week I will talk about the process to get to this point, but in more detail. Back in 2007, the Lorne Community Building Initiative “LorneCH” was established under a State Government funded program. Under this initiative, Community Opportunity Workshops (COW) identified key community issues for Lorne and project teams were established to look at these issues identified by the community.

The Pier Point Grey project team was formed by local community members to investigate options to improve the amenity of Point Grey and to tackle over 20 particular issues identified by the community as a whole which eventually evolved into an exciting design concept prepared for the community be renowned illustrator Robert Ingpen. What followed was the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Point Grey and Slaughterhouse Master Plan Project – Place Essence Report.

In late 2012/13 GORCC initiated a Community Reference group consisting of 16 Community Representatives that sat collaboratively across multiple sessions to build on the discussions that commenced some five years earlier. At this point, the Community were adamant that they wanted to see two buildings in the precinct (the existing Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club (LAAC) and a restaurant/retail outlet). The LAAC was to remain in its current location and investigation was to take place as to how we might embrace the history of our past in the precinct.

Unfortunately, at that time, the then GORCC chair presented a plan back to the community that had a single building accommodating all stakeholders of the precinct. Needless to say the community was up in arms and a local delegation sat with the then State Government Planning Minister to effectively block the plan from moving forward. As a result of this action, the plan was redrafted and became the DELWP endorsed Point Grey Master Plan 2015.

Although not perfect, the two building precinct had been resurrected, the LAAC location remained where everyone wanted it (albeit smaller than the wish of their members) and discussions were evolving as to how we could preserve
that history that runs so deep across our town. There was still no clear statement from GORCC as to project funding and timelines. Later following the resignation of the then- GORCC chair, a new chair has been appointed and a new leadership team established at GORCC. With that came new energy to see the Point Grey project come to fruition.

The follow-on to the Endorsed Plan was the creation of a GORRC led Project Steering Group which contained members of the LAAC, Friends of Queens Park, Lorne Business Tourism and Tourism Association, Committee for Lorne and Lorne Ward councillor.

What has evolved over many years as the result of a robust, consultative process has seen the announcement of the winners of the architectural competition to drive the Point Grey Precinct Project. But there is still a long, long journey ahead and that’s before we are able to secure funding. What we have at the moment is “precinct specific” proposal, not including Shelly Beach or any part thereof, that is preparing to deliver the specific detail of buildings and design within the precinct with a land manager (GORCC) that is prepared to work with with the community.

This precinct is such an important part of our history where names like Norton, Love, Zanoni, Tune, Smith, Raskatos, Campbell and Alsop to name a few, are important to our fishing industry as are the likes of Babington, Armistead, Walters and others to our logging heritage and those who know me well will realise that no stone will be left unturned to pay homage to our colourful past.

Subject to finalising the design and addressing the detail, the CfL is excited to see the concept and looks forward to each of the stakeholders discussing and developing the specific aspect of the scheme with GORCC and their architects, and understanding how the functional design will include and address historic interpretation, the commercial strategy to achieve the goal of “stop, stay and spend” and the other specific needs of the community.

This has been one heck of a journey over the past decade and we have never been closer, nor partnered with a stronger GORCC team, to deliver an outcome that all of Lorne can be proud of.

Ian Stewart
Chairman – Committee for Lorne

PS. Don’t forget our next Committee for Lorne Luncheon scheduled for Friday June the 8th but please, you must RSVP to nicole@
greatoceanroadrealestate.com.au.

Our guest speakers for the day will be Damien Smith, Chairman of the Board of Lorne Community Hospital and Kate Gillan, CEO of the hospital, both of whom will provide an update on activities and plans