Geelong’s CBD to gain 117 new social housing units

A PROPOSAL for 117 social-affordable housing apartments in Geelong’s CBD is nearing completion, aimed at addressing the region’s housing crisis.

This 11-storey development at 23-25 Myers Street forms part of Homes Victoria’s $1.38 billion “Big Housing Build” initiative.

In October, the City of Greater Geelong called on the state government to bolster its commitments to social housing.

Planning and design executive director Gareth Smith told the Geelong Times that social housing should be an element of all new housing projects.

“We would like to see the government legislate for a percentage of social housing to be included as part of all new housing developments, as we see this as the most effective avenue to address the shortage in Greater Geelong and across the state,” he said.

The City’s Social Housing Plan 2020 – 2041 estimated that a Social Housing Plan designed to overcome homelessness and housing poverty will need to deliver 13,500 new social housing dwellings by 2041.

According to the plan this implies the addition of an average 675 social housing dwellings per annum over the next 20 years requiring an estimated investment of $235M per annum.

At the end of June 2022 there were 4,684 social housing dwellings across Greater Geelong.

The project at 23-25 Myers Street originally didn’t start as a social housing project.

Department of Transport and Planning records show that Myers Development Pty Ltd initially planned a 13-storey mixed-use office and apartment complex for the site.

Maurice Pitard, CEO of Pitard Group, is listed in ASIC documents as the director of Myers Development. However, this initial proposal was withdrawn and replaced by a new application from SP19 Pty Ltd.

According to The Urban Developer, SP19 Pty Ltd, led by Skye Elizabeth Pitard, revised the project plans, removing all office spaces from the tower.

Skye Elizabeth Pitard is married to Simon Pitard, the son of Maurice Pitard.