The Lakes Entrance community can now have its say on the design concepts and development of the Jemmys Point Lookout experience off Lookout Road.
Plans for stage two of the project are very conceptual and now is the ideal time for the community to share their thoughts on this East Gippsland Shire Council-led project.
Council’s general manager assets and environment, Fiona Weigall, said feedback in this early stage of the project can include feedback support, sentiment or expectations relating to scale of the overall development.
“Earlier this year, multiple concept designs for a new lookout experience at the Lookout Road site were developed. Initial designs focused on providing an all abilities user experience taking advantage of the views. These plans were shared with stakeholders including councillors, the project control group (representing eight organisations) and a community panel (nine residents and business and community leaders),” Ms Weigall said.
“We heard from these stakeholder groups that the second location had more to offer than the initial plans provided. There was feedback that the site needs to provide for a fantastic visitor experience, a great local community outcome and potentially a commercial venture taking advantage of the beautiful location.”
Feedback suggested that the new lookout platform should be: A linear shape maximising viewing opportunity; cantilevered and soaring, providing an exciting visitor experience; provide elevation gain while still providing all abilities access.
Ms Weigall said the new stage two designs present a well-considered concept plan for the site and demonstrate how various levels of development can be incorporated into the lookout structure.
The updated plans demonstrate various scales of development around a similar shaped structure. The updated plans also incorporate a draft concept master plan for improvements to the open space within the broader site.
“The concepts designs developed by Land Design Partnership and Watson Architecture are based on a similar core shape and theme, they do explore various levels of development and the inclusion of potential future commercial opportunity at the site. These vary from very modest to quite elaborate developments and uses,” Ms Weigall said.
Feedback is now open until Friday, September 4, online at council’s Your Say page or by contacting council and completing the survey over the phone.
“Now it’s over to the community to provide feedback and provide council with a sense of the community sentiment and support around the extent of development at Lookout Road,” Ms Weigall said.
”Stage one is nearing completion at the prominent Hotel Road site adjacent to the Princes Highway, providing a lookout with a modern design focused on an all abilities user experience while taking advantage of the incredible views over the Gippsland Lakes and beyond.”
The project is funded by council and the Commonwealth Government.
