Current status
August 2023
In January 2023, we asked you what you thought about a proposed design for an upgrade to the amenity block at Grove Rd in Lorne.
We were delighted to receive such valuable feedback, both positive and constructive on these designs. We heard you and incorporated your ideas into the final design where possible. We considered community feedback alongside Aboriginal inclusion, environmental outcomes, design quality, social outcomes, and funding requirements to create the final design.
Project overview
The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will be upgrading to the amenity block at Grove Road, Lorne. At the beginning of 2023 the Authority released a proposed concept design to the community.
The works have been identified in the Lorne Foreshore Masterplan, which states:
Action No. 8 - Refurbish the existing amenity block in the Sea Baths precinct including the provision of Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) standard toilet facilities, increased capacity, improved shower and changing facilities with best-practice sustainable standards, including site water capture and reuse.
Final design
The final design provides an amenity block which features improved accessibility, an increased number of facilities, improved hygiene, and water drainage.
Read more about the key features of the final design below.
In the final designs we have updated the aesthetic design of the external facade. You told us that the proposed design was too modern and not in keeping with the character of Lorne.
Based on feedback we have lowered the roofline in the final designs, in keeping with the surroundings buildings and character of Lorne.
You told us the timber screen featured in the proposed concept designs may be chewed by the local Lorne cockatoos, so we have removed this, improving the beachy open nature of the final design.
The existing roof does not allow protection from the weather, the new design addresses this while still allowing space for air flow and ventilation through the amenity block.
The internal walls and foundations of the existing amenity block will be kept and uplifted. The addition of new decking will expand the footprint of the amenity block by approximately 50%.
The deck has been introduced to address the water drainage issue currently experienced at the site and will provide amenities, such as showers for a quick rinse after the beach and a dog water bowl. A raised deck will also assist in safe pedestrian movement around the amenity and will improve traffic movement in and out of the carpark adjacent to the amenity block.
The final design increases the number of facilities in both the male, female, and all gender amenities to accommodate for increased visitation to the area.
The female amenities will include five regular toilets and two ambulant toilets and an additional accessible bathroom. This is an increase of more than 50% capacity.
The male amenities will include two regular toilets, two ambulant toilets, four urinals and an additional accessible bathroom. This is an increase of more than 50% capacity.
The existing and proposed amenity block is utilised by many including beach goers, dog walkers and bike riders, so we have included a water drinking fountain and a dog water bowl in the final design.
It was great to hear enthusiasm from the community to make the amenities accessible for all. The final design includes two all gender family rooms that allow access for all abilities too. These bathrooms will have warm showers too and are accessible from the external deck area.
An additional accessible bathroom is located in both the male and female amenities.
We have carried through sustainable design features into the final design. The amenity block will feature solar power and rainwater tanks.
We will retain some of the internal walls and foundations from the existing amenity block in the new build.
We anticipate construction of the Grove Road Lorne Amenity Block will begin in 2024 and will take approximately five months to complete. We will keep the community informed on when this will occur.
From 23 January – 12 February 2023, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority sought feedback on draft concept plans for a new amenity block at Grove Road in Lorne.
January/February Proposed Concept Designs
The information gathered through this community engagement has informed the final designs to best meet the needs of the community and visitors now and for generations to come. Feedback received through this consultation is considered alongside Aboriginal inclusion, environmental outcomes, design quality, social outcomes, and funding requirements.
We were delighted to receive so much community feedback, both positive and constructive. You can view a summary of this feedback in the Engagement Summary Report we released to community in April 2023.
This toilet block upgrade is part of the $18.197 million Great Ocean Road Visitor Experience Uplift grant to deliver improvements to the visitor experience along the iconic Great Ocean Road.
