Point Grey at Lorne has received another $2 million in funding this year.
Growing frustration about the way forward to develop the waterside site.With its glittering seaside views nestled on the Great Ocean Road, Point Grey in Lorne is one of the region’s best parcels of coastal real estate that has long been earmarked for rejuvenation.
Co-chair of a Community Co-design Group for the project, Ian Stewart, said there was general agreement across the community that the site was due for a revamp. Yet, its future remains entirely unclear, he said. Stewart, who is also Committee for Lorne chairman, said he was worried they would get less value for their money the longer the process drew out due to inflation and rising building costs.The former Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee was the original proponent of the plan.But VCAT found the restaurant was not dependent on the coastal location, and it was intended to attract tourism revenue rather than supporting the marine and coastal surrounds.
Harbours, jetties and boat ramps are structures that would be considered dependent on the coastline because they could not exist elsewhere.“It really isn’t adding anything,” he said.Joe Armao The development was originally costed at about $10 million with the federal government kicking in $8 million, $2 million from the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and the angling club pledging $450,000 .
He said there should be some kind of restaurant replacing the seafood eatery that opened in the 1986 and operated until this year.Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority chief executive Jodie Sizer said there were many sites along the Great Ocean Road that may need work in coming years.