A poison chalice, or a defining opportunity? A local schism, or a boon for tourism? A re-development blight, or a chance to unite and ignite?
The longer the re-imagining of this emotive sea-burst shard of rocks and pools has lingered, lurched, flamed, then spluttered across the past decade and a half, the harder seems the task to achieve cross-community acceptance of the end-product of its re-development. Yet this time … this time … we are finally moving forward. Meetings have been held, designers and architects engaged, a local committee established, and funds committed. So – what is in store for this defining feature of our immediate geography? It is time to let you know …
First and foremost, we should recognise that any re-imagining of the Point Grey site must acknowledge the prior connection of the Gadubanud peoples of the Otway country with the earth we seek to change. It may be seen by some as trite, as political correctness, to ‘acknowledge country’ – but it would be very wrong to consider the prior presence of the original aboriginals of this region as but a minor thing. While we cannot right the wrongs of past annihilation and displacement, we can pay respect to their memory through sensitive inclusion in our stories. The planning for the site seeks exactly that. With the involvement of the Eastern Maar – the aboriginal oversight group of Western Victoria – an echo of our first peoples must and will be audible throughout the planning process. They have been invited to the table, and the part they play must be decisive.
While many – and I have been one – had hoped that the old Co-op building might somehow be preserved, renovated, and re-imagined, that is not going to happen. The old building will go – like it or not. That decision has been taken. What is important is that the structure that replaces it is given a chance to build its own history, its own ambience, its own devotion to the site, just as the old Co-op has done for so long. As we move on, we should accord that chance.
Above and beyond the nuts-and-bolts of building design, pedestrian and car access, launching ramps and the like, looms the cultural and heritage importance of Point Grey. This is no airy-fairy, brush-it-aside hypothetical, but lies at the very heart and soul of the site. From the solid geology of the point: its influence on the rheology of our southern ocean swells, its role as a first peoples’ shellfish larder, the sheltered shore-line feasting middens where elders told their stories, the coming of the white-man, the building of the first of several piers, the steamer visits, the timber industry, the fishing fleet, redolent with sound and smell, to the current time – pier-strolling, fine dining, the ‘dare’ of pier-jumping, and squid-jigging by torchlight at night … these and more tell the stories of Point Grey.
This panoply of history must be imagined, captured, and faithfully delivered by sight, sound, smell, and idea. The use of lighting, audio-visual effects, holography and other technologies to blend past with present … these and more form the brief accepted by the creative team.
One thing is certain: we have one shot at this and need to get it right, but space is limited. It must cater for pleasant, relaxed, day-to-day use by those who live and breathe ‘Lorne’, yet deliver a ‘wow’ memory to those whose visit may be fleeting. All the while, we must avoid submerging the wild ambience of a raging easterly crashing on its rock, or a sun-drenched ramble through its pools, with excessive man-made structure and form.
One key element with which all who have been active in the formational stages of the redevelopment believe and agree is: Point Grey cannot be redeveloped in isolation from the town. It must integrate with, not stand apart from, the town behind it. The ‘Doug Stirling Track’ – the cliff walk that links town to pier precinct – must be considered as an integrated part of the pier project. Doug’s track could be re-imagined as an historical adventure – creating the ‘Doug Stirling Founders Walk’ – with seating, audio bays, low-glow, ground level, night lighting, and the restoration of the extensive aboriginal midden [shore-side below Albert Street] to its natural state. It should lead into and enhance the pedestrian entry to the pier precinct.
The clubhouse for the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club will be replaced with an upgraded building. Meetings have been held with the LAAC committee, and LAAC members have been kept aware of the planning process. While not every LAAC wish has been accommodated, the final agreed compromise maps a footprint and design that delivers all key elements of their needs. Details can be sought through club officials.
The Pier Restaurant, long part of the fabric of Lorne, must remain Aegean-flavoured and water-edged – and sometimes redolent with the smells of kelp and fish – while a snack and take-out bar will provide for those who seek to fish the pier, or wander to Vera Lynn and Shelley Beach beyond.
Sorting car access and parking [how often projects falter car-parking] has created a central planning problem. The current access and egress roads will remain and, while parking will be re-oriented, a similar number of spots will be retained. Boat launching facilities have created a key conundrum: boat trailers need to be backed and filled, turned, and reversed – all within a small space that other premium demands must share. The launch facility on the spit remains though a club-adjacent ramp needs more thought.
To be all things for all people is an almost impossible task. It is even harder when the space to be ‘all things for all’ is so geographically limited. That said, many are working hard to deliver a site that Lorne and the coast can be proud of; that speaks to the many skeins of its heritage; that respects cultures past; that creates an ‘I want to come back to this place’ ambience; and that is modern, technologically smart, securable, yet nature-sensitive. We hope, when all is said and done, that Point Grey may be a place of pride – pride in our history, pride in our present, and hopeful for our future.
As a final, but challenging thought: is Point Grey still the right name? Named for George Grey – a Governor of South Australia with colonial connections in Western Australia and New Zealand but none with Victoria – Grey has no local connection with the town … none! On the other hand, ‘Point Gadubanud’ would … and intimately so. While likely a sacrilegious thought to some, now might be a memorable moment to consider a new and very honourable name.
John Agar
