Crane business
A heritage group, has been formed by the Friends’ Committee with the following objectives:
i ) To become familiar with major items of historical interest in Lorne and the surrounding area.
ii) To work with the Lorne Historical Society in documenting the significance of major items.
iii) To assess the wider community support for the retention/ restoration of particular objects, artefacts
and buildings.
iv) To facilitate the retention/restoration of such items deemed to be significant.
v) To cooperate with the appropriate authorities and organisations in the facilitation in iv) above.
vi) To co-opt to the committee individuals who have special interest/expertise in a particular project
vii) To raise funds to help achieve the above objectives.
The heritage group will work closely with the Lorne Historical Society.
The first item considered by the Heritage group is the crane that was at the end of the old pier. Friends
of Lorne had consistently over 5 years made known its desire for the crane to be retained as an icon of
Lorne’s past. In 2005, as part of preliminary discussions on the new pier, FOL circulated 700 survey forms
to members and randomly in the general community. Of the 222 forms completed, 76% were in favour of
the crane being kept on the end of the new pier and also 83% were against it being relocated to the
shore.
The fin-tailed design of the pier at the seaward end made it impossible for the crane to be placed there.
A public meeting however gave very strong support to the crane being placed on the timber deck of that
section of the old pier at the shore end that was not to be demolished. This was followed by another
survey. Of the 149 forms returned 78% were strongly in favour of this solution.
On completion of the new pier, the crane was temporarily stored on land beside the Aquatic Club.
Friends of Lorne was given an assurance in writing that a decision would not be made until the master
plan process for the future development of Point Grey (the pier precinct) had been completed.
Unfortunately, the crane was cut up and delivered to the wreckers in late November 2009. At the request
of representatives of Friends of Lorne, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee agreed to transport some
sections of the demolished crane back to the quarry at Lorne for storage.
In the latest positive development GORCC has agreed to help transport the crane parts from the Lorne
quarry to a work site in Mount Sabine Road where the Heritage group has arranged for reassembly work to
be done.
Proposed Boardwalk Extension
When the board walk from near the surfclub to the pool/restaurant was completed several years ago it
was universally approved by the general public. It is now heavily used by pedestrians and saves the sand
dunes from erosion from foot traffic that used to occur during high tides. Further it has allowed grasses
to grow on the beach side that has trapped additional sand and given greater protection to the dunes.
This process should be repeated so that a protective barrier is set up for the full length of the
boardwalk. This would give an extended time of protection against sea level rise. This success suggests
that a boardwalk extended right up to the rock groin could not only be an advantage to pedestrians but
also offer protection to the sane dune. The sand dune beyond the rock groin is already protected by
rocks placed along the edge of the dune.
Lorne Foreshore Works
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee works on maintaining and improving the Lorne foreshore. Day-
to-day tasks include picking up and collecting rubbish, repairing pathways, bridges, benches and various
other coastal facilities, mowing, clearing weeds, planting and many other jobs on a very long 'to-do' list.
Some activities you may have recently noticed include:
• weed control works in the Erskine River valley with a particular focus on treating blackberry infestations
• works to extend Lorne's Tramway Track to the Point Grey precinct so that it is easier for locals and
visitors to find and access.
• ongoing weed control and native vegetation works along the North Lorne foreshore area.
Questions or concerns about the foreshore should be addressed to the committee via
phone 03 5220 5055 or email info@gorcc.com.au
Information supplied by GORCC