Point Grey’s fate could be sealed if council revokes responsibility

The Lorne Fishermen’s Co-operative has received yet ­another lifeline with the Surf Coast Shire voting to defer transferring ownership of land vital to a key project.

The Lorne Fishermen’s Co-operative has received yet ­another lifeline with the Surf Coast Shire voting to defer transferring vital land.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, it was anticipated the shire would grant the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) responsibility for two allotments currently preventing the Point Grey Precinct from progressing.

Councillor Gary Allen moved a motion to defer the decision, allowing for more consultations between the community and GORCAPA’s new chief executive officer Jodie Sizer. The motion was passed by five councillors, with some arguing it was a bad look for the shire.

While Mr Allen said GORCAPA was now showing a ­distinct shift in its approach to community consultation, he said it had become evident that more time is needed.

“We need more time for the co-design group to have significant say, more time to consult the community over the loss of parking and laughable boat wash, as well as more time to study cultural management and engineering reports, which should have been commissioned three years ago,” he said.

The redevelopment was ­proposed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee – which became GORCAPA – and has been heavily criticised for its plan to demolish a remaining piece of Lorne’s history.

The plan currently includes a 160-seat restaurant, angling club and scenic lookout as part of the $10.45m precinct.

Councillor Mike Bodsworth said while he was supportive of the co-operative’s heritage value, he did not support the deferral. “The authority is capable of making good judgment around the heritage value of the site,” he said. “I note the mess … from GORCC and I regret the involvement of the exploitative approach to visitor economy in this project.”

Councillor Heather Wellington said the shire should take this opportunity to change its position. “I think we all recognise we probably shouldn’t be defending that permit now that we have a better understanding around its heritage,” she said. “I don’t think we need to transfer land at the moment – it is irrelevant and we haven’t had adequate time.

“I think we should give consent, but strongly advocate for the wishes of the community around retention of the building and not exploit it.”

A decision is expected to be finalised at the October council meeting.

Lorne fishing co-op decision looms

TIME could be running out for Lorne’s iconic fishing co-operative, with the Surf Coast Shire expected to transfer its remaining ownership.

The campaign to save the 73-year-old Lorne Fisherman’s Co-operative, which is facing demolition, came to a halt in July.

It was discovered two parcels of land previously thought to be under the management of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), was instead the responsibility of council.

Surf Coast Shire officers have recommended council provides consent as well as commence the process to transfer land management to GORCAPA during Tuesday’s meeting.

“This option is recommended by officers as council has no valid reason to deny consent and as there is no identified use for the subject land by council, the transfer of management would remove future liabilities from council,” it reads.

It is a requirement of the planning scheme that the public land manager provides consent to the planning permit, which has ultimately ­prevented the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal from deciding the fate of the ­co-operative.

The redevelopment plan was proposed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee – which became GORCAPA – and includes a 160-seat restaurant, angling club and scenic lookout as part of the $10.45m Point Grey Precinct.

In July, councillors voted to hold off on providing consent until September’s meeting, with councillors sharing their concerns.At the meeting, Councillor Gary Allen discussed serious local traffic-management issues raised during the VCAT hearing.

“It is not a proper excuse that we were not aware of our status when making the decision that fundamentally affects the ability of the land to be used for its designated purposes as a road,” he said.

“We must properly turn our minds as to whether the land is actually used for road purposes before consent is given or ­denied.”

Mr Allen claimed the community was not appropriately briefed on the design of the precinct while the selection process was “cloaked with ­secrecy”.

The design has sparked public debate with some residents saying the precinct fails to recognise the cultural and historical significance of the local fishing industry.

Across two social media posts, local resident Judi Kenneally said the demolition would see Point Grey “altered forever”.

“After 12 long years the last piece of old Lorne is about to be demolished and replaced with an inappropriate building that has no relevance to the site and no reference to its social and cultural history,” Ms Kenneally wrote.

Originally published as Point Grey’s fate could be sealed if council revokes responsibility