Glengarry Developments founder Wayne Jennings at the Newtown riverside property of an approved development with 57 apartments and 17 townhouses. Picture: Alan Barber
A $90m riverside residential development creating 57 apartments and 17 townhouses has been approved after Geelong’s council switched positions to support the Newtown project.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal gave the green light for the Glengarry Developments project at 510 and 510A Latrobe Blvd, Newtown where a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and townhouses will offer a luxury riverside lifestyle in the only site with direct views and access to the Barwon River.
The developer made changes to plans originally submitted, resulting in Geelong’s council dropping its opposition for the project.
RELATED: Newtown riverside mill site with apartment plans up for grabs
Entire Geelong apartment block sells at mortgagees auction
Inside the luxury apartment project taking shape at Rippleside
Glengarry Developments founder Wayne Jennings, who bought the 9580sq m site in 2008, saw earlier plans rejected at VCAT last year.
Award-winning architect Asher Greenwood from GKA Architects designed the project.
Major changes included altering the internal road system and access to the site from Latrobe Blvd, increasing setbacks to the neighbouring National Trust property Barwon Grange and increasing measures to protect a historic Moreton Bay fig tree.
Mr Jennings said the council had issued the permit, but the developer needed to take steps to have its plans endorsed before construction could begin, which could be as soon as six to eight months.
Artist’s renders shows the Newtown residential project designed by GKA Architects for Glengarry Developments. 510 and 510A Latrobe Blvd, Newtown.
The project will see construction of several main buildings, with two blocks of apartments facing the river and rows of townhouses on either side of the property.
A four-storey apartment building with a semi undercroft basement will sit at the heart of the development, which would also provide a lap pool and gym exclusively for residents and a riverside cafe open to the public.
“I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a site with a rare connection to the riverbank,” Mr Jennings said.
“This vision started with Glengarry, and we’ve persevered to see it realised.”
The site, which housed the demolished Collins Woollen Mill, fronts the Barwon River next to the former Albion woollen mill building adjacent to the James Harrison Bridge.
Artist’s renders shows the Newtown residential project designed by GKA Architects for Glengarry Developments. 510 and 510A Latrobe Blvd, Newtown.
The tribunal found the scale of the development responds to the preferred character for the site, referencing the substantial structures that occupied the once industrial heart of Newtown.
“I’ve had conversations with people from Newtown and nearby areas who are excited about the opportunity to live here,” he said.
“It’s the only piece of land on the riverbank as such where the rowers go straight under your nose.
“There is a river cafe right on the riverbank and it’s got an L-shaped veranda so you can look over the riverbank and you can look up the river and watch the people. If you’re walking past you can come in with your pet and have a coffee and sit down and relax.”
The National Trust and developer Cameron Hamilton, who owns the neighbouring mill complex with plans for a mixed use development, both objected to the project. VCAT found the project would not unreasonably impact the amenity of abutting properties.
It’s the second major residential development approved on the Newtown bank of the Barwon River, with a massive mixed use project off Pakington St gaining approval in 2024 including more than 300 apartments.
English (US) · 