GREEN LIGHT: Four-storey Portarlington apartment plan approved

A $10.5 MILLION mixed use development for the home of a former Portarlington church can go ahead after receiving approval from planning authorities.

The City of Greater Geelong’s planning register indicates the city’s decision making committee has decided to grant a planning permit for the project that would create 31 new dwellings and a restaurant/café.

The city decided to grant the permit in November last year and issued its notice of decision just before Christmas, with the 28-day appeal window expiring on January 24.

The development is at the corner of Harding and Fenwick streets, one block behind The Little Mussel Café, and is the site of the town’s former St Patrick’s Church.

The church building would remain part of the proposed hospitality premises under plans advertised last year.

Developers would renovate the church hall, maintaining features such as its chevron double door, weatherboard cladding, and fixtures such as window frames, awnings and rooftop eave.

The building would create a four-storey apartment building, but would have the appearance of three storeys from some vantage points due to the slope of the slope.

Its 31 properties would range from one-bedroom units up to luxury three-bedroom pads with elevated view to Port Phillip Bay.

The development received mixed feedback during its exhibition in March last year.

Concern about the building’s height was the most commonly cited issue among objectors, who argued the project would be an “inappropriate development” in an area dominated by one and two-storey residences and would negatively impact amenity of nearby homeowners.

Objectors were also worried the properties were geared towards short-stay accommodation and would do little to address housing supply and affordability, and that the reduction in car parking on site could increase traffic congestion.

Supporters welcomed the idea for a new hospitality business in the growing town, and were excited about the prospect of repurposing the church hall instead of demolishing it.

Portarlington Community Association (PCA), which has opposed other multi-storey developments in recent years, indicated early last year it would not object to the idea as it recognised the need for sensitive development within the town.

The church at 10-14 Harding Street was built in 1942, but the congregation shifted down the road to its present home at 18 Harding Street in 1966. The property was last sold in May 2020.

Other groups, such as the Portarlington Business Development Association, have called for increased investment in the town as its population continues to grow and diversify.