A new chapter for Osborne House

THE City of Greater Geelong has taken a landmark step in breathing new life into one of our city’s most treasured heritage assets, with Council voting on Tuesday 28 October to appoint the Gurner | Montgomery Group as the development partner for the rejuvenation of Osborne House in North Geelong.

This historic decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for Osborne House – a cornerstone of Geelong’s heritage, maritime history and community identity.

Built in 1858, the bluestone mansion has served many roles over its lifetime – from naval training base and municipal offices to community museum – and will now be transformed into a vibrant civic, cultural and hospitality destination.

As Chair of the Major & Special Projects Portfolio and an advocate for the retention of Osborne House in public ownership since 1995, I am proud to say this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore a community icon and deliver economic, cultural and social benefits for Geelong’s northern suburbs.

Osborne House has stood proudly for more than 160 years, but it has long required significant investment to realise its full potential.

The appointment of the Gurner | Montgomery Group brings together expertise, vision and capital to restore this heritage treasure for future generations.

Under the endorsed proposal, Osborne House and its surrounding precinct will remain in public ownership, with the City entering into a partnership arrangement that ensures the site’s heritage integrity and community accessibility are preserved.

The rejuvenation concept includes:

• Restoration of the historic mansion and stables, preserving their architectural and cultural significance

• Creation of a hotel, luxury villas, a signature restaurant, a health and wellness spa and a glass artium events space

• Public open spaces linking the site to the North Geelong waterfront and improving community access to the grounds, and

• A focus on sustainability, adaptive reuse and heritage interpretation, aligning with Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design status.

This project represents the best of what Geelong can achieve – honouring our past while investing in our future.

It will create jobs, attract visitors and re-establish Osborne House as a landmark destination on Corio Bay.

Most importantly, this is about keeping Osborne House in the hands of the community while partnering with an experienced developer to make the vision a reality.

The next steps will involve detailed design, heritage and planning approvals, and further stakeholder engagement.

The Osborne House Rejuvenation Project is a key priority of the City’s Major & Special Projects Portfolio, complementing other strategic investments in Geelong’s northern corridor and supporting Council’s commitment to sustainable growth and place-based revitalisation.

I wish to acknowledge the Osborne Park Association members past and present for their unwavering resilience and perseverance over the past 30 years for staying steadfast in their advocacy for Osborne House and surrounds.

I wish to also acknowledge my current fellow councillor Eddy Kontelj for being an unflappable champion with the same level of passion and commitment to Osborne House and its future as myself.

This is not just a redevelopment – it’s a rejuvenation. Osborne House will once again become a proud gateway in North Geelong and a living symbol of our city’s colonial heritage, creativity and confidence.

Cr Anthony Aitken

Corio Ward, City of Greater Geelong