New details revealed for $300m Rippleside project

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has given the green light to an amended plan to build 83 apartments in the final stage of Balmoral Quay at Rippleside.

Construction of the final stage of Rippleside’s Balmoral Quay project is expected to start in 2027 after the state government greenlit the seven-storey apartment development overlooking Geelong’s waterfront.

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the stage five plans for the former Rippleside shipyard site despite fierce opposition from local residents.

With the minister’s endorsement, the developer is proceeding to finalise council-endorsed drawings and costings in the first half of next year, with a target of commencing off-the-plan sales in August 2026 and construction to begin in late 2027, with dwellings to reach settlement by mid 2029.

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The development group, led by Gersh Investment Partners’ Theo Axarlis, submitted the revised plans in July this year via the state government’s fast track development facilitation program that bypasses council.

“We are delighted the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has approved Amendment C480ggee to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, giving the green light for the final stage of Balmoral Quay,” Mr Axarlis said.

“This final stage will bring architect-designed, medium density living to an already remarkable bayside community.”

Delighted: Balmoral Quay development director Theo Axarlis.

Mr Axarlis said the project establishes market confidence in apartment living, a housing format increasingly important in achieving the city’s growth and revitalisation objectives.

“Our $300 million investment in Balmoral Quay, alongside other projects across the region, has been driven by our confidence in the Geelong market and our commitment to delivering high-quality, well located homes that contribute to Geelong’s enviable lifestyle.”

The Geelong council last year rejected amended plans for the 83 apartment building, that one councillor labelled “greedy growth”.

The council had referred the previous application to an independent panel in December 2023, only to ignore its advice to approve the project in July 2024.

Amended plans for 83 apartments in a seven-storey building at Balmoral Quay were approved by the state government.

Mr Axarlis said the revised plans factored in community feedback and planning panel recommendations by reducing building bulk along Balmoral Crescent and enhancing southeastern view lines.

The original stage five plans were amended after the development of three townhouses, including a pair of four-level residences facing Balmoral Crescent and another dwelling built down to the base of the cliff, were constructed with council approval on a neighbouring property.

The four residential stages comprising 78 townhouses and 26 apartments and a floating marina is 85 per cent sold, with 15 two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses on the market, priced from $1.4m to $3.6m.

The dwellings offer open-plan living, granite benchtops, expansive terraces, some with rooftop terraces and internal lifts.

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