We present the to-and-fro of the Pt Grey redevelopment plans in chronological order, starting with the most recent events.
On Wednesday 30th October 2024 GORCAPA held a public meeting in Lorne to update the community and explain the point they have reached in the redevelopment process. See link here. A lot of time was spent in explaining the expected impact of the projected sea level rise (1.3m by 2100). This is a game changer. Originally, in 2012, when formal planning for Pt Grey began, the projected sea level rise was 0.8m. A more detailed report of this meeting will be placed here shortly. The GORCAPA project webpage provides opportunity for feedback to GORCAPA and Q and A.
Pt Grey Whole-of-Precinct Planning Started in February 2024
The new Point Grey Community Reference Group had its induction meeting on 28 February 2024 and has met several times since then. Friends of Lorne is a member of the group. The Principal Design design consultants, NMBW Architecture Studio and their head consultants, Architecture Associates and Hansen. Marika Neustupny from NMBW have presented an outline of the company, who they are, their project experience, their knowledge and experience of the Point Grey precinct so far, and their intended approach. It was heartening to hear that their values include consultation and community collaboration. You can read more about them and view some of their completed projects on their website: nmbw.com.au
Anna Greening, GORCAPA’s strategic planner, explained the design considerations that will determine the framework of the project. These include the project’s objectives, the VCAT determination, and several hefty pieces of legislation that will underpin the Precinct’s redevelopment planning and design guidelines and principles. The legislation that will have the greatest influence includes: Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Act 2020 – especially its principles. The Marine and Coastal Act 2018 – MACA First Principles and the MACA Policy. And the siting design guidelines for structures on the Victorian coast and its principles including purpose and need, the footprint of the new design, and climate change and adaptation. Essentially, we are being told that sea level rise will require the buildings to be set further back. Likely inundation also suggests that the building footprint might have to shrink.
More than 1100 people took part in new community survey in March and April 2024 to verify what we cared about most. The results are here. The construction phase is currently forecast from late 2025 to mid-2026. Note there is no agreement yet on what is being constructed.
Prior to this there was a community co-design group which met for 2 years up until late 2023. Friends of Lorne was represented on that group also. The focus of that group was more limited. We only completed work on a concept-level plan for the co-op building. We requested that its look be retained and that as much of the original structure as possible be retained also (although GORCAPA’s reply on this at the time was that it is a cost issue). A community-commissioned heritage architect subsequently completed a formal assessment and report on Adaptive Reuse of the structure, finding in essence that the original building was sound. This was submitted to GORCAPA for consideration.
We were advised ( 9 October 2023) that the heritage architect’s report was not used as a supporting document in the Request for Tender. But we were told that it would “inform the successful tenderer’s analysis of Existing Conditions/Opportunities and Constraints. During this phase, the feasibility of retaining the Fishing Co-op with consideration of all constraints (including building condition, budget, risk, planning approvals and consents, coastal hazards) will be assessed.” To us, adapting and reusing the original 1948 structure equates with saving our heritage in a way that erection of a look-alike structure does not. So the community needs to keep up a strong voice on this.
And, as you will see in the chronology below, there were 1527 signatures on the “Save the Fishing co-op building” petition. The advocacy was led by the late Lawrie Baker, who died shortly before he won the case for the community at VCAT.
Pt Grey – $10M Funding retained plus an extra $2M
On February 10 2023, we received the news that the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) is allowed to keep, for use at Pt Grey, the $10m of City Deal funding allocated by the Federal Government. There had been some nervousness in the community since the planning application that was approved in 2020 was subsequently set aside by VCAT in March 2022. The City Deal funding had been predicated on this development, which included the proposed but highly contentious Beacon Building. It is wonderful news that GORCAPA have retained the funding for Pt Grey, and even better, they now have an extra $2m for what will become a new whole-of-precinct-plan. This will, of course, take into account the fact the Community Co-Design Group (CCDG) has already come up with a plan for the old fishing co-op building, using the original structure where possible.
March 2022 – VCAT Appeal Succeeds; What Now?
In March 2022, the VCAT decision on Pt Grey came down. The Tribunal upheld the appeal, meaning that the original planning application (including the “Beacon Building”) was rejected. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) went away to revise the plans in a manner consistent with the Marine and Coastal Policy of 2020 , which is the primary means whereby the Marine and Coastal Act (MACA, 2018) is implemented. The MACA requires activities on coastal land to be coastal dependent. A boat ramp and fishing club are coastal dependent, but a new restaurant is not.
But, of course, GORCAPA was already on the case and were working with the Lorne community to investigate how the fishermen’s co-op building could be remodelled and reused in some way. The new plans were the subject to public consultation in early March 2022. The feedback on these plans from the public survey was overwhelmingly positive.
The issue now is how can the plans for the precinct be amended in ways consistent with the MACA. If a new restaurant is not permitted, for example, then what type of food outlet is? The Community Co-Design Group will now be given a chance to form whole-of-precinct plans, in contrast to just working on the co-op building. This will likely involve the Community Co-Design Group being reconstituted and reorganised to take up the challenge. We know there are some adjustments to be made, but so much has already been achieved. We now have an opportunity for the Aquatic Club to get its traffic and boat wash issues right. We have said goodbye to the excessive car parking on Shelly Beach. All parties are keen to create a workable maritime precinct that preserves its cultural and historical values.
Thanks to all of you who have made your voices heard on this issue.
Communities up and down the coast are watching, as there are ramifications of the MACA for them too.
Summer 2022 – Community Co-Design Group working with GORCAPA
Consultation was run by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) with feedback by Friday 11 March 2022. A summary report of this engagement process was published in June 2022 and can be viewed here.
To remind you, the Friends of Lorne opposed the approved plans for a Sydney opera-house style “Beacon Building”. A petition of 1527 signatures was gathered by the late Lawrie Baker and presented in state parliament. A VCAT appeal was heard over 4 days in April 2021. Meantime, GORCAPA which inherited the role of site developer, heard the community voice and opted to abandon the plans and work with the community to try to retain and re-purpose the Co-op building as best they could. Local Councillor Gary Allen was pivotal in turning around opinion at the SCSC in favour of keeping our heritage.
As part of the consultation process we were unsuccessful in getting a specific question on the survey about the value of returning (parts of) the old crane to the site (rescued from demolition by Friends of Lorne in 2007). GORCAPA would be willing to do this, we understand, if they hear from the community that you care about it. They have paid a site visit to the crane and met with potential restorers, but you need to let them know you care about it, if you do.
The Community Co-Design Group (CCDG, which FoL is on) is pleased overall with the revised building plan. But we had no role in other matters. So other things you might care to mention in communication with GORCAPA might be:
- Concern about car parking stretching down to Shelly Beach. This is a result of car spaces between the Co-op and the Aquatic Club being lost to a new plaza/green space.
- Does it matter to you that they will demolish and rebuild reusing what materials they can? If you would prefer some walls or parts to be retained then say so, it all comes down to costs and what is considered worthwhile.
- Another idea that Friends of Lorne submitted in the past was underwater cameras on the pier to allow us to see the seals, fish and rays at their own level.
- Feedback has been consistent to ensure that lighting remained low i.e., no flashy digital projections to compete with the moon and stars.
- And please mention the old crane (as above)!
Click here to view the revised concept plan.
Further information is available http://greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au/point-grey-redevelopment-lorne/ to find out more about the project, and view the revised concept design.
So please stay tuned, speak up and get engaged with Friends of Lorne. These are times when your voice really matters. Friends of Lorne members have been champions for retaining our heritage at Pt Grey for many years. Thanks to so many of you.
April 2021, Submission to Heritage Victoria to list the co-op building on the state register. We failed.
We teamed up with the Lorne Historical Society to argue that the the Lorne fishing co-op building, as one of the last of its type remaining on the coast, be Heritage listed. Our submission described how, in 2003, the Surf Coast Shire Council had proposed a Planning Scheme Amendment with an Expert Panel recommendation that a Heritage Overlay (HO) be applied to the Lorne Pier and part of Point Grey to include the land containing the fisherman’s co-operative buildings and the tramway cuttings “given their deemed local significance historically, aesthetically and socially significant at a local level.” But prior to approving the amendment in 2006, the Minister removed the proposed HO from the final approved amendment. This decision “made way” for the new pier to be built in 2007.
In spite of our being able to demonstrate this prior expert recommendation, Heritage Victoria were unmoved.
How it All Started. Some Point Grey Development History
The development has been in the pipeline for a long time. The 1998 Lorne Coastal Action plan objective was “to conserve natural and historic features.” By 2009 the Point Grey and Slaughterhouse Master Plan listed “loss of history/character” as one of the chief concerns raised in community workshops, along with fear of “over-development and commercialisation”.
But by 2012, according to GORCC (the former Great Ocean Road Coast Committee), the majority of the community opted to level the existing building and build something new.
Six options were offered to the community in 2012, each with a list of dot point ‘Pros’ and ‘Cons’. To view the options please refer to the following original material from GORCC Point Grey Testing the ideas 2012-12-14 OPTIONS
Only one option sought to retain the existing buildings. GORCC listed three advantages with this particular option: it was small scale in terms of cost, provision of public plaza area would be easy to deliver, and uses of the site would not change. GORCC listed six disadvantages with this option:
- “Represents only a temporary fix
- Expenditure may be wasted in the medium – long term
- Does not represent a sustainable future for the site
- Non-economic in an ongoing sense ( generates no return)
- Doesn’t meet any of the expectations of the community
- Presents a poor image of Lorne to visitors and tourists”
Notably, none of the six original options offered to rebuild the Aquatic Club but retain the existing Fishing Co-Op building. Following these options in 2012, GORCC initially designed one large building to replace the existing restaurant and Aquatic Club. Based on community feedback to this 2013 Draft Plan, a major change appeared in the 2014 Revised Draft Plan altering the design to include two separate (new) buildings.
However, even in the 2014 Fire Light Consulting Point Grey Submissions Review for GORCC there were comments as follows:
“Lorne is losing it [sic] historic and iconic buildings. The façade and outdoor dining area of the Pier Restaurant is such a building. We strongly recommend that the design of the second building includes that façade. I believe such a move would have grassroots support in our community.” ~ Lorne Historical Society 2014 submission.
“The flavour of the old fish co-op building needs to be kept (eg be retaining the steps, platform)– it was a vital part of Lorne.”
“Comment: Throughout the whole of this project there has been an insistence that the history of the site is being preserved. The facts seem to be that it is being demolished. It is being replaced with “Subtle interpretation through inscriptions in paving” or similar. This seems at best cavalier and at worst insulting to our intelligence.
Suggestion: The co-op should be assessed by people with a track record in the continuing use of built history. In the absence of a clear structural need for demolition, preservation should be the default position.”
After this feedback, a two year period elapsed where nothing happened. From 2017 GORCC pressed on. When the community eventually saw the final plans, many were dismayed, and hundreds of people signed a petition saying they would rather keep the old co-op building. This petition was presented in state parliament by local member Richard Riordan. However, the total number of personal or organisational formal objections to GORCC’s final plans submitted to Surf Coast Shire Council in November 2019 was less than twenty. Two organisational level objectors among these were Friends of Lorne and the Lorne Historical Society.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request for detailed information about the community consultation process was submitted in July 2020 to GORCC by the office of Richard Riordan MP – Member for Polwarth. It was answered at the beginning of March 2021. Summarised ‘engagement reports’ are available, including the 2018 public communications and Open Houses detailed in Point Grey Redevelopment Engagement Summary Report_GORCC-1 which mentioned under Heritage:
“Retention of elements of existing buildings, and incorporating the original crane and couta boat in the design were examples cited (29 responders mentioned the crane, including a presentation and submission to GORCC by the Friends of Lorne).”
Links to Plans (the ones approved by Council but subsequently overturned by VCAT)
For the most comprehensive pictures of the plans please view in full the 18_0508_-_Amended_Application_-_Proposed_development_plans_-_3-9_Ocean_Road_South_Lorne or refer to some selected display images below in the gallery section ‘Point Grey Development’. You will also find pictures of approved plans and the Point Grey news item in the Friends of Lorne October newsletter
Friends of Lorne Actions at the time
Friends of Lorne objected to the demolition of the co-op building, on heritage grounds, and the erection of the (inappropriate) “beacon” building. We also objected to the car parking (which will extend down towards Shelly Beach) and we objected to the expanded use of the site for events and activities. Friends of Lorne took a position that any new events spaces in Lorne should be back in the town, not on this site. That is, expanded hospitality and event space did not need to be on coastal land. Friends of Lorne did not object to the Aquatic Club plans.
The history of the development and the logic of Friends of Lorne’s action is covered in a November 2020 Lorne Independent article. We conclude this article by saying we would like to see new objective standards developed in Victoria on what constitutes adequate community engagement. Currently there are none. But their presence may have circumvented the scenario we face today where the adequacy of the community engagement process can be contested.
2019 – 2020 Point Grey Petition
Some 480 Lorne residents and holiday home owners signed the petition opposing the demolition of the Fishermen’s Co-Operative building– this was people from the Lorne Historical Society, Friends of Lorne, the school, the CFA, the hospital, the Op Shop, the sporting clubs, the Men’s Shed, and so on. Signatures came from most everywhere around town. In total there were 1527 signatures on the petition, copies of which had been placed in prominent Lorne locations so as to capture views from residents and visitors.
Point Grey Cultural, Heritage and Creative Counsel
There is a “Creative Counsel” convened by GORCC (now GORCAPA). It is working right now to imagine new and different ways to communicate the site’s heritage and culture. Friends of Lorne (and other groups) are represented on that committee with GORCC’s good grace, given that our opposition to the demolition of the co-op building is widely known. While the Creative Counsel has a role to play, and we welcome being part of it, for us it is Plan B. Plan A is to KEEP our heritage, not demolish it.
A final decision about Point Grey was expected to be made in April 2021 at the VCAT hearing, instead, further submissions by involved parties, and adjournments delayed the outcome until March 2022.
The appeal against the proposal was made by a private citizen, not Friends of Lorne. Retaining and repurposing the co-op does have the support of Lorne community groups, who have come together to represent the voice of the Lorne community with council and GORCAPA.
Friends of Lorne encourages people to use the regular processes always available to you as citizens to make your views known about planning proposals affecting Lorne. Signing a petition is not enough. A personal email or letter to an official counts, and you can always raise your voices to your Surf Coast Shire councillors.
At this time, your individual communications are best addressed to councillors who can be found on the SCS council website here
In encouraging citizen engagement, Friends of Lorne means no disrespect to those people in our community who were happy with GORCAPA’s original or updated plans for Point Grey and are working actively now to implement them. We hope that, in return, our efforts to raise concerns about the decision and the processes by which it came about are respected. Democracy should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
Community Action in early 2021 ahead of VCAT (contains some out-of-date information, retained for historical record purposes only)
We thank those who communicated with the following government ministers, councillors, and GORCAPA ahead of the VCAT hearing. You may have written to:
The Hon. Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning. The Minister for Planning has the power to “call in” and determine a VCAT case, even though a proposal may involve another Minister’s responsibilities.
Send your emails to richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au
Or call Richard on 9415 8901 to voice your request either to save the Lorne Fishermen’s Co-operative building, or alternatively, if you are happy with the new ‘beacon’ building idea, you could say so.
We suggested copying your email/s to the following relevant people to help them understand the level of support for retaining and re-purposing the Lorne Fishermen’s Co-operative building at Point Grey:
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- The Hon. Liliana (Lily) D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. GORCAPA is part of her Ministry.
lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au - Libby Mears, Chair, GORCAPA Board,
info@greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au - Libby Stapleton, the Surf Coast Shire Mayor,
lstapleton@surfcoast.vic.gov.au - Gary Allen, the Lorne ward Councillor,
gallen@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
- The Hon. Liliana (Lily) D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. GORCAPA is part of her Ministry.
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Information and Submission Resources
2021
- The Progress with Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) January 2021 newsletter edition features an update on the “struggle to preserve threatened maritime heritage infrastructure” at the Point Grey Fishing Cooperative, Lorne. Refer to material in the ‘Coastal Maritime Industry Heritage Precincts’, and ‘Fishing Industry heritage at Lorne’ sections, along with vignettes shared under ‘Local History Groups’. MMHN notes:”The Friends of Lorne group fortunately rescued parts of the discarded crane and have plans to re-erect it on the [old stub of the] pier in order to acknowledge its significance to the maritime heritage of Lorne. MMHN wishes them every success and offers support if required.“
2020
- The Age – Lorne development raises fears of lost heritage December 18, 2020
“A popular pier-side restaurant and a former fishing co-operative face demolition in the tourism hotspot of Lorne as part of a controversial waterfront redevelopment plan.
The fishing co-operative building dates back to the 1950s, and the redevelopment plan has raised fears a key part of Lorne’s industrial heritage will be lost unless the project is revised.“ - Friends of Lorne Point Grey Article – Lorne Independent November 2020
- Friends of Lorne October 2020 Newsletter featuring Point Grey development content
- GORCC Current Projects webpage for Point Grey – Lorne Redevelopment
- GORCC Media-Release-Great-Ocean-Road-Coast-Committee-gets-green-light-for-Point-Grey-Lorne-Redevelopment-29-June-2020
- Surf Coast Shire Council Ordinary Meeting Minutes June 23 2020 with approval of Planning Permit Application 18/0508 for Point Grey Development
“Use of the land for place of assembly, restaurant and informal outdoor recreation; construction of buildings and works; business identification signs; reduction of standard car parking requirements; alteration of access to a road in Road Zone Category 1 and removal of native vegetation “ - Friends of Lorne shared ideas as part of a Point Grey Creative Cultural and Heritage Counsel briefing session for potential Creative Consultants – Presentation Slides November 2020
2019
- Friends of Lorne November 2019 Submission to Surf Coast Shire Council on plans for Point Grey
2018
- GORCC Point Grey Redevelopment Engagement Summary Report
“Heritage. Respondents saw further opportunity to respect the pre and post-Settlement heritage of the area, reflecting the buildings currently on site. Retention of elements of existing buildings, and incorporating the original crane and couta boat in the design were examples cited.”
2017
2014
2012
2011
2009
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the (now defeated) development.
Q. Is there any change to Shelly Beach?
A. Yes. The picture shows the proposed car parking extending down to Shelly Beach. The plan indicates an area of vegetation will be converted into permanent car parking. Earlier plans showed a new Toilet/Amenities block was to be built for Shelly Beach, however with the cultural assessment of the area this was adjusted in June 2020 to retain the current Toilet block.
Q. What objections did Friends of Lorne raise with the proposed Point Grey development?
A. Friends of Lorne objected to the demolition of the co-op building and the erection of the “beacon” building. We also objected to the car parking and the expanded use of the site for events and activities that could happen back in town. For example, GORCC/GORCAPA business case was based on increasing the number of winter weddings in Lorne. We also objected on heritage and history grounds.
Q What about the Lorne Aquatic and Anglers Club building?
A. The Lorne Aquatic and Anglers Club have worked with GORCC to plan a new and separate building to best meet the Club’s requirements, along with a public meeting space required by GORCC. Friends of Lorne have been and continue to remain supportive of the Aquatic Club representing their own part of the Point Grey development.
Our best efforts have been made to acknowledge photographers and /or sources in the scroll over captions for photos shown in galleries on this page. Thank you for all the wonderful photos that capture the heritage, history and culture of the Lorne Fishermen’s Co-operative at Point Grey, along with other Fishing Co-ops in Australia and around the world. Please contact Friends of Lorne via the email address below if you would prefer any image be removed from this page.