New camp kitchen proposed at Queens Park

THE Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is proposing a significant upgrade of its Queens Park camping ground in Lorne, lodging planning documents for the $750,000 works with the Surf Coast Shire.

The biggest element will be the demolition of the existing camp kitchen facility and the construction of a new one to improve amenity functionality, site aesthetics and accessibility.

The existing open walled pergola (and concrete pad) will be knocked down and replaced with an architecturally designed, fit-for-purpose facility.

According to GORCAPA’s planning report, this facility will be a combined closed kitchen and open pergola/deck area, allowing multiple users to occupy the space at once.

DDA-compliant ramps will ensure equitable access and facilitate ease of movement between the amenity block and neighbouring camp kitchen.

Park furniture and wash and barbecue facilities will complement the structure.

The roofline of the camp kitchen will be raised to about 5080mm above ground level. Although this is higher than the existing roofline, this is a deliberate design element to allow coastal breezes to sweep through the area, mitigating the need for climate control elements and to capture and frame the sweeping vistas.

The works will also refurbish an existing amenity block, including minor floorplan alterations to allow the inclusion of an all-abilities restroom facility and family bathroom; and the installation of a new 5,000L water tank.

Queens Park is nestled into the bush-covered hillside above Lorne’s pier, offering extensive views of Point Grey and its surrounds. It has operated as a camping ground for about 60 years.

To download the full planning documents, which were lodged in February and advertised from earlier this month, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Property/Planning-and-Building.