Lorne grab

Jessica Benton
COMMUNITY groups have told Surf Coast’s foreshore managers to dump plans for commercial development on Crown land at Lorne.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros slammed Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s plans to establish “sustainable” development at Point Grey and the town’s Slaughterhouse site.
“These sites are supposed to be public land and should be kept for public purposes, not used for retail or commercial uses,” she said.
“It’s very important to maintain any open spaces because you can never get them back.”
Lorne Community Association president Peter Spring said the group supported limited development at Point Grey but was concerned about the Slaughterhouse plans.
“Overdevelopment has done nothing to enhance the seaside village character of Lorne so far,” he said.
“Ideally, we’d like to see Slaughterhouse left as it is but if it has to be developed they must not put a multi-storey hotel on the site.”
A coast committee report recommended “sustainable” development for both sites.
The report suggested “low” commercial development for the Slaughterhouse site, including tourist accommodation such as an “eco-lodge”, hotel or resort.
Under the plans Point Grey could house extra commercial operations.
Coast committee chief David Clarke said the plan was based on “community views for the future of the two sites”.
He said the committee would retain management of both sites under the development plans, with a steering group to “assist in decision making”.
The draft master plan for the sites was on public exhibition pending workshops between authorities and the community to prepare a final proposal, Mr Clarke said.