Geelong to gain 270 new homes as state signs off on major builds

A $60 million Hope & Autumn development in Geelong West will comprise a 56-apartment complex split across two four-storey buildings. Image: SUPPLIED

TWO major housing projects in Geelong have been approved, fast-tracking 270 new homes for the region as the Victorian government works to meet its housing targets.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off on developments in central Geelong and Geelong West through the state’s streamlined Development Facilitation Program.

Both projects will be delivered by Melbourne developer Up Property.

In Malop Street, 214 new homes will be built as part of a 16-storey development that includes new retail and office spaces, a hotel with 96 rooms, and walkway connection to Little Malop Street.

The $149 million project will take in 160-176 Malop Street, 18 Bellerine Street and 2 Powell Place, and comprise 69 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 120 two-bedroom and 25 three-bedroom.

A 56-apartment complex in Geelong West has also been approved for construction.

The $60 million Hope & Autumn development, to be located at 51-53 Hope Street and 66-76 Autumn Street, will feature two four-storey buildings.

Residents have been fighting against the development since January, raising concerns it disregards the character of the heritage overlay and will increase traffic on what are narrow streets with limited parking.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said the approvals would help address housing pressures by increasing supply in well-located parts of Geelong.

“We know the only way to make housing fairer for young Victorians is to build more homes, faster—that’s why we’re fast-tracking projects just like these ones in Geelong,” Ms Kilkenny said.

Geelong MP Chris Couzens said the developments will give the community more choice about how and where they want to live.

“These projects will deliver hundreds of new homes in the heart of Geelong, right where people want to live.”

In February, the Victorian government announced Greater Geelong would need to accommodate 128,600 new homes by 2051 to meet demand, as part of a broader push to deliver 2.2 million new homes across the state.