Questions raised about another Lorne landmark

A STATE land manager says all aspects of the Point Grey redevelopment are under review as a local stakeholder raises fresh questions about the plan’s impact on another locally significant building.

Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club commodore Keith Miller said he preferred a refurbishment of the club’s building to preserve its shack-like charm, instead of a demolition and rebuild as proposed in previously approved plans.

Mr Miller stressed that the idea was his personal view and not that of the club, which is yet to formally discuss the building design in light of a new consultative approach from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA).

But the idea appeared to have at least some local backing in a social media straw poll, with his concerns attracting dozens of voices of support online.

In a message to LAAC members this month, Mr Miller paid homage to the current clubhouse and indicated he would continue pursuing the proposal with redevelopment authorities.

“I really don’t want our clubhouse demolished,” he said.

“Being an old weather-beaten wooden shack is its greatest asset. Buildings like this are disappearing and will soon no longer exist simply because the government and bureaucrats think they need to be replaced with modern buildings with no character or history.

“Our old clubhouse has history, personality and heaps of character.”

Mr Miller suggested a refurbishment of the angling club could include a new floor, windows and roof for a fraction of the cost of previous designs.

GORCAPA formed a community co-design group to overhaul plans for the precinct’s former Fishermen’s Co-Op, which produced a result received to local fanfare earlier this year.

GORCAPA said all elements of Point Grey were under review, but it had yet to decide on its method to draft future designs for the remainder of the project.

The authority indicated it would “work closely with all of our project stakeholders, including Surf Coast Shire, the LAAC and our funding partners, to progress the project and ensure a positive outcome for all”.