In partnership with Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (LSLSC) and Life Saving Victoria, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) again rolled out their Accessible Beaches initiative at Lorne in 2020.

GORCC and LSLSC provided free access to a floating beach wheelchair, portable hoist and 40 metres of accessible beach matting from 12 January – 23 February 2020.

The wheelchair was available for hire in 1 hour slots from LSLSC during patrolled beach hours.

Use of the beach wheelchair, hoist and matting is free. Users with limited mobility will require the assistance of a carer/s to access the wheelchair and for water safety.

Beach wheelchairs are ideal for people who have mobility limitations, including those with a permanent disability, temporary disability or those with reduced mobility due to age.

A shipping container adjacent to accessible parking spaces at LSLSC housed the beach access wheelchair, portable hoist (users need to provide their own sling) and instructions for use.

To find out more, visit lorne.accessiblebeaches.com.au

• Fact sheet

This project arose through a group of concerned Lorne community members – primarily parents using the Erskine Paddock playground and surrounding area with their children.

Due to the poor view lines and numerous hiding places around the site’s perimeter, community members were concerned about children’s safety in the heavily treed area. Further improvement suggestions of the community have been considered in developing a landscape plan for Erskine Paddock.

Following initial consultation over summer 2017, GORCC have finalised the draft concept for the landscape plan which aims to maintain open space and the existing landscape character, consistent with the Erskine River Precinct Master Plan, but also update and improve this local park area for daily use.

Some of the proposed elements include:

• Replacing the ageing play equipment and old bike path with nature-based play features and a new track play feature
• Installing new BBQ, picnic and other seating
• Landscaping around the perimeter
• Addition of gravel path along Otway St edge and a pedestrian link across Cypress Ave to improve circulation around paddock area and connections with other path networks.

Community consultation

Throughout January and February 2019 GORCC held nine community consultation sessions across Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and Torquay. Feedback received during these consultation sessions and via an online survey has helped inform detailed design and construction.

What we heard

In summary, the feedback highlighted some key themes:

• Importance of open space used by families, especially children playing: Respondents value Erskine Paddock as a safe, open space ideal for young children to play. Its proximity to the caravan park is also ideal for guests staying in the park.
• Environmental landscape: Respondents noted the significance of the established vegetation, in particular the remaining tea tree, as a fun space to play that is protected from the ocean winds.
• Accessibility and safety: One respondent would like to see further path linkages between existing pedestrian pathways to provide separation between pedestrians and cars and a more complete walking network, and one respondent suggested more passive transportation rather than overflow parking to help keep the paddock space open for ball games.

The top five priorities respondents would like GORCC to include in the concept plan are:

1. Retain flat and flexible open space areas within the park.
2. Enhance both native and indigenous vegetation on site.
3. Proposed removal of existing play equipment and old bike path in favour of play features that encourage nature play and include a revised trail play element.
4. Improve siting, quality and range of seating and other surfaces, including picnic and BBQ facilities and inclusion of a drinking fountain.
5. Improve circulation around paddock area and connections with other circulation networks.

Next steps

Following consultation over summer 2019, the key next steps are:

• Detailed design drawings of the landscape plan based on the final concept (complete), including final costings (underway).
• Obtain required statutory approvals for the works (underway).
• Undertake construction.

Project documentation

• Concept plan
• Fact sheet

Ongoing project information for the Point Grey – Lorne Redevelopment can be found on the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority website by clicking here.

Following community feedback on the need for more parking in Lorne during peak times, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee will continue to use Erskine Paddock for overflow car parking this summer. When gates are open part of the paddock will be open for cars on weekends, public holidays and days of high visitation – such as Amy’s Gran Fondo and the Pier to Pub.

Parking will be strictly from 10 am to 7 pm and only opened when alternative car parking areas are reaching capacity.

For any feedback please email info@gorcc.com.au.

Current Lorne projects

View a summary of all current projects in Lorne.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee has been working closely with the Friends of Queens Park to upgrade tracks and signage in the park. Feedback was sought earlier in 2017 for the proposed track routes, names and the new visual style and logos for the park.

The park has a unique character resulting from its dense forest, steep slopes and spectacular sea views. Its main visitor sites are the caravan park and Teddy’s Lookout, a recreation site on the southern end of the park’s central ridge.

Queens Park’s natural and scenic values combined with proximity to town make it one of Lorne’s most accessible and rewarding bushwalking precincts – a role the park has fulfilled for over a century.

Media Releases

12 September 2016 | Have your say on new tracks and signs at Queens Park

Project Documentation

Queens Park Reserve Master Plan | 2015 – 2020

Fast Sheet | Queens Park

Concept Design | Queens Park signage

A master plan to guide the future use and development of the Erskine River precinct in Lorne.
The plan has been developed by consultants Insite Leisure Planning on behalf of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

This report includes directions for the precinct that have been developed having regard to background research, community consultation results and directions from the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

The master plan outlines objectives for each specific zone within the precinct. The objectives are addressed through a range of site specific actions for each zone.

Zones addressed in the master plan are:
A. Erskine South Bank (Kia Ora Caravan Park and Great Ocean Road Coast Depot)
B. Erskine North Bank (Erskine Avenue to Former Quarry)
C. Gateway (Supermarket to Round About)
D. Erskine Bend (Visitor Information Centre to Top Bank Caravan Park Entrance)
E. Erskine Peninsula (Top Bank Caravan Park to Cyprus Avenue)

The zones have been selected to reflect usage, character and logical site boundaries. The objectives and actions contribute to achieving the overarching vision for the precinct which is:

“To emphasise the natural beauty and recreational value of the lower reaches of the Erskine River and surrounds through improved amenity, functionality and increased recognition of the contribution that the precinct makes to the overall Lorne experience.  Environmental values and informal recreational uses of the river precinct, including picnicking, walking, fishing and places for quiet relaxation will be enhanced whilst protecting and enhancing the health and sustainability of the river and the surrounding environment.”

Project Documentation

Erskine River Precinct Masterplan | 2014

Consultation Reports

Stage 1 Consultation Report | January 2013

Stage 2 Consultation Report | July 2013

Stage 3 Consultation Report | May 2014

The iconic Lorne Swing Bridge was officially reopened by the Hon Terry Mulder MP, Member for Polwarth, Minister for Roads recently, marking the completion of a $527,000 restoration project to reinstate this historically significant structure.

The Lorne Swing Bridge has undergone a major rebuild following a detailed structural survey of the bridge leading to its temporary closure early in 2013.

The aim of the project was to retain the original appearance of the Lorne Swing Bridge and use ‘like for like’ materials where possible. However to comply with modern engineering and safety requirements, some steel components had to be used, but in the same shape as the original structure.

The bridge is loved, used and valued by the local Lorne community and visitors alike and the objective of the works were to ensure this iconic landmark is preserved for future generations.

The project was funded thanks to $220,000 from the Victorian Government’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund $75,000 from the Surf Coast Shire and $135,000 from Great Ocean Road Coast.

Media release

21 March 2014 | Icon of Lorne reinstated

Review completed | 2015

A comprehensive review of existing rules for GORCC’s Lorne and Torquay Foreshore Caravan Parks has now been completed.

This process has included three parallel streams of work:

1. Development of the new minimum standards (specifically designed to replace the current ’30 year van rule’ applying to TMP and Seasonal Permit holders)
2. A wider rule review considering all caravan park rules.
3. Review of permit terms and conditions in order to update them and ensure they are consistent with the above documents.

Following extensive consultation with both Seasonal Permit and TMP holders, including ongoing discussions with the Torquay Concerned Campers Committee, all feedback received has been considered in the development of a final version of each document.

These three documents have now been approved by the Committee.

Final Documentation

Park Rules | May 2015

TMP and Seasonal site minimum standards

Dog and Animal Policy

Consultation Reports

Camper Forum (Torquay) Report | January 2014

Camper Forums (Torquay & Lorne) Report | Easter 2014

Questions and Answers

Park rules Q and As

Minimum Standards Q and As

Permits Q and As

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee has been working closely with the Friends of Queens Park to upgrade tracks and signage in the park. Feedback was sought earlier in 2017 for the proposed track routes, names and the new visual style and logos for the park.

The park has a unique character resulting from its dense forest, steep slopes and spectacular sea views. Its main visitor sites are the caravan park and Teddy’s Lookout, a recreation site on the southern end of the park’s central ridge.

Queens Park’s natural and scenic values combined with proximity to town make it one of Lorne’s most accessible and rewarding bushwalking precincts – a role the park has fulfilled for over a century.

Media Releases

12 September 2016 | Have your say on new tracks and signs at Queens Park

Project Documentation

Queens Park Reserve Master Plan | 2015 – 2020

Fast Sheet | Queens Park

Concept Design | Queens Park signage

Background

The Lorne foreshore is Crown land managed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) and is of significance socially, economically and environmentally to both residents and visitors.

The foreshore accommodates large public and community events including the annual Pier to Pub and Lorne Sculpture Biennale. The foreshore is subject to seasonal variation from an area of intense activity at peak holiday times, to an everyday resource for local community use.

The foreshore has a dynamic and fragile natural environment that supports ecology and habitat and is subject to climate change, including storm surge events and sea-level rise.

Master plan project

GORCC is currently developing a new master plan for the Lorne foreshore, as the existing master plan is now 20 years old. A new master plan will identify works to improve the area and consider accessibility, use and enjoyment, guiding management of the precinct over the next 10-15 years.

Following initial consultation over summer 2017-18, the project study area has been extended from just the central foreshore, to include the entire foreshore area bounded by Erskine River-Swing Bridge precinct, Mountjoy Parade and the Point Grey precinct.

Further community and stakeholder consultation took place throughout January and February 2019 to identify issues and opportunities that needed to be considered in developing the Lorne Foreshore Master Plan. Feedback received during this round of consultation has helped inform the development and design of the draft master plan.

Feedback was sought through multiple channels, including three community consultation sessions in Lorne, an online survey, meetings with community and agency groups, and significant digital and media promotion.

The key themes highlighted included upgrading the Doug Stirling Walk, retaining public open space, new and upgraded facilities and improving path connectivity and accessibility.

A new authority, Great Ocean Road Coast and Park Authority (GORCPA), is due to commence in 2020, replacing GORCC and other land managers along the Great Ocean Road. GORCPA will become the Crown land manager and therefore be responsible for the management of the foreshore, and implementation of the plan moving forward. A clear delivery plan that stages works over the life of the master plan will be presented to GORCPA.

Community consultation

GORCC sought community and stakeholder feedback on the Lorne Foreshore Draft Master Plan during July and August 2019. Feedback closed on Sunday 25 August 2019. Feedback received during this consultation period will inform the development of the final master plan.

Next steps

Following community and stakeholder consultation over summer and winter 2018-19, the key next steps are:

• Finalise master plan and obtain required statutory approvals
• Release final approved master plan
• Commence implementation.

Project documentation

• Draft master plan

Current Lorne projects

View a summary of all current projects in Lorne.