Lorne transformed by sculpture exhibition
With over 1,000 people a day visiting during ‘manned’ hours, the second Lorne Sculpture Exhibition
created a lot of interest and increased the numbers of ‘heads on beds’ and coffees consumed around
Lorne. And we know that there were many, many more people ‘out of hours’ from the sunrise early birds
to the sunset strollers. The people of Lorne deserve a pat on the back for their enthusiasm in supporting
the exhibition. We believe that the LSE is more than just a sculpture exhibition. It brings together the
Lorne community along with big business, government at all levels and visitors from around the globe.
Not a bad effort for a township of around 900 people.
The event name and branding will be refreshed with the graphics and logo designed to be more
recognisable. Through demand from the public and artists, the number of foreshore sculptures will grow
from 33 to around 50. Another permanent sculpture acquisition in 2011 will be added to “Bullseye” by
Jonathan Leahey acquired in 2009, enhancing Lorne`s foreshore and our status as the `centre for arts`
on the Great Ocean Road.Keep up to date with news and events at www.lornesculpture.com
Lorne Sculpture enters its third exhibition phase enthusiastically with a dynamic new President, Peter
Lamell, event founder Graeme Wilkie as Vice President and Clay Thompson as Treasurer. The committee
has a good balance of existing and new members – Trish Brawn, Ian Macrae, Peter Matthews, Jenny
Brown, Matt Boland, Bob Sinclair, and Tom Latham, Past President as adviser.
Lorne Sculpture will open Sat 15 Oct until Sun 6 Nov, 2011.
Streetscape upgrade
Lorne’s Streetscape upgrade is near completion and we can enjoy the amenity created by the wider
footpaths, the undergrounding of the power lines, landscaping and new street furniture.The mature
banksias soften the utilitarian look of the paved areas and the pines along the foreshore side of the
project and grasses in the planting boxes are an improvement. Expanded pedestrian areas, some with
seating and landscaping have reduced the dominance of parked cars in Mountjoy Parade.
Friends of Lorne are concerned about a number of aspects of the new streetscape and welcome your
input.
1. The street lighting remains the white halide freeway style lights even though in Dec 2004 the Shire
and Vic Roads agreed to more sympathetic and attractive town lighting.
2. Lighting poles are placed in the middle of the footpath on the ocean side, creating a hazard to
pedestrians.
3. Electrical services boxes (green) about 40cm high by 40cm square are randomly positioned in
hazardous positions on the shop side footpath.
4. Landscaping in roundabouts and islands is unimpressive and is detracting from the overall result.
5. A jungle of road signs detract from the coastal village character.
Friends were significant contributors to the Streetscape steering committees and consultative groups.
We continue to keep a watch on hazards and design issues, moreover we lobbied Council for a
concession to the residents’ contribution rather than have the project abandoned when the initial hue
and cry went up.
Shire talks
Surfcoast Shire’s Mayor Libby Coker and CEO, Mark Davies have requested a meeting with Friends about
improving Lorne’s relationship with the Shire. In response Friends has forwarded the following.
Some key issues that we would like discussed.
• The formula behind the funding should be clarified as it is widely perceived to be inequitable with
Council, “not being fair to Lorne”. For example, in the 2010/11 draft budget of $34.5 million, $80 has
been allocated to Lorne when our rates are high and increasing yearly.
• The streetscape/drainage levies are considered to have been imposed on Lorne in an unfair manner.
• Who else pays a levy throughout the Shire for infrastructure projects?
A list of things that should be attended to:
• Public toilets beside the Information Centre developed jointly by Shire and GORCC
• Streetscape refinements
• Attention to the health and safety of trees on Council land along the road verges
• More fire prevention -help with dealing with debris under the trees
• Dedicated outdoor maintenance crew domicile in Lorne to improve productivity and continuity of
service. An extension of the weeds to mulch program into other sites in town.
• Shire support for extension of boardwalk from pool to the groyne