Public meeting discusses Lorne pool plan

THE proposed future for the Lorne Pool Precinct continues to draw interest, with about 70 people attending a public meeting to discuss the issue.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) organised the community information session at Stribling Reserve Community Pavilion on Monday this week about the proposal from incumbent lease holders Landcorp Foreshore Precinct Pty Ltd on the Crown land that GORCAPA manages.

The company has applied to renegotiate their existing lease, as allowed under Victorian law, on what is now the Lorne Sea Baths and secure a new 21-year deal in exchange for investing $940,000 into what would become the Lorne Sea Baths, Spa and Wellness project.

In a statement, GORCAPA said its representatives at the meeting included chief executive officer Jodie Sizer, director of commerical and tourism Andy Mathers, manager of tourism and business developments Paul Rogasch, manager of community engagement Brigid Isaacs, manager of accommodation services Brendan Parker, lease, licence and events co-ordinator Glenn Nott, and community engagement co-ordinator Kate Wynn.

“I’m thrilled that approximately 70 community members took the time to attend the session, to ask questions and share their aspirations for the Lorne Pool Precinct,” Ms Sizer said.

“The session was incredibly valuable and it provided a tangible opportunity for us to meet face-to-face and hear many diverse views firsthand, directly from the local community.

“We know how important the precinct is to the Lorne community and that Lorne remains a destination of choice for many domestic and international travellers.

“We share with the community the common desire to see a high-quality fit for purpose facility that delivers positive social, health and wellbeing outcomes for the local community that also contributes responsibly to the local economy.”

Monday’s event was the most recent community engagement about the proposal from GORCAPA, which has faced some criticism for how it originally advertised the lease renegotiation and sought the community’s views.

GORCAPA ran public notices in newspapers – including the Surf Coast Times – about the proposal earlier this year and invited people to make submissions, with the deadline set at April 7.

However, on April 14, the authority reopened and extended consultation to May 5 due to what it described as “the range of community sentiment received during the initial period for public feedback”, and the consultation was then extended again, to June 16.

An online community consultation webinar was also annouunced and held on April 26, which drew an audience of 32 people at the time.

The business case for Lorne Sea Baths, Spa and Wellness states the development would create communal bathing, smaller private bathing areas, massage treatment rooms, a central reception and amenities area, and describes the works as “shovel-ready”.

For more information on the proposal, to read the business case or watch the webinar, head to greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultation/Have-your-say/Lorne-Pool-Precinct-lease-update