‘Major development’ ruled out at Lorne site

A major commercial development of Lorne’s Point Grey has been ruled out under a new master plan for the site.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s six scenarios for Point Grey precinct plan included major new buildings to house existing activities on the foreshore land.
Point Grey is home to the Pier, its fishing cooperative and restaurant and Lorne Aquatic Club. The site also hosts adventure races and marathon runs throughout the year.
The precinct plan follows a 2008 project identifying potential development options for Point Grey and a nearby Slaughterhouse site. The project was discontinued in 2010 because development costs became unfeasible.
The new plan’s sixth scenario suggested a larger single-storey building embedded into hillside, facing a public plaza and with a car park provided atop a grassed area near Shelley Beach.
The scenario provided “large public space with expansive views” at a “relatively high cost”.
The plan said it opened up views and reinstated the point as “a public place”.
Other scenarios suggested two new buildings at a medium-to-high cost at various locations on the site, replacing existing buildings.
A consultation process attracted 139 responses from residents and visitors. Almost 50 per cent wanted either passive or active recreation facilities on the site.