Chocolate factory idea for heritage farm

A HERITAGE-LISTED property at the edge of Portarlington would become a chocolaterie and farm stay business under a planning proposal lodged with Geelong council.

Bellarine Chocolate Co has applied to convert the former Lincoln’s Farm at the corner of Point Richards Road and Portarlington Road, into the dual-purpose food manufacturing and tourism site.

The plan provides for a restaurant, 12 farm stay cabins with a children’s farm, plus orchards, animal stables and other agricultural infrastructure for paddocks and revegetaion of native species.

It would renovate and repurpose the former farm’s bluestone dairy building as stables, while other existing timber buildings would be demolished on the property.

New accommodation cabins would be towards the northern end of the property, where they would enjoy uninterrupted views across Corio Bay to the You Yangs.

An existing watercourse that meanders through the block would be enhanced with extra vegetation, which would also boost habitat for native animals such as the growling grass frog.

Some land would also be set aside for fruit production, which would enable activities such as berry picking and produce sales.

Meanwhile, the chocolaterie building would be at near the southern end closest to highway access – and include the restaurant, 100 car parking spaces, the manufacturing area, retail sales and a grassed courtyard.

An economic assessment provided as part of the application predicts the project would provide $55.9 million worth of economic activity and 177 full-time jobs during construction, then 8.6 million and 33 jobs each year once operational.

Planners argue that the agri-tourism use is inline with other uses and policies promoting similar development near Bellarine towns.

“The proposal includes the repurposing of the existing delipidated dairy building through the carrying out of refurbishment which will greatly enhance the significance of the site in comparison to existing conditions,” planning documents stated.

“The proposed works have been carefully designed in regard to character, appearance and significance of the heritage building and proposed additional buildings to the site.

“Although the proposed choclaterie, accommodation buildings and greenhouse will bring upon a major change to the site, it is not considered a change that will result in inappropriate or unacceptable heritage impacts.

“Overall, the proposal achieves a considered and balanced outcome with regard to the former Lincoln’s farmhouse.”

Plans are open for public comment until September 13.