Gordon Avenue twin towers approved

A NINE and 10-storey, two-tower development in Gordon Avenue has gained approval following a three-day Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing which overturned a council decision to refuse the proposal.

VCAT ruled the large-scale development at 39-45 Gordon Avenue can be supported by planning policy and that it would assist the redevelopment and renewal of Geelong West.

Gordon Avenue Property Trust purchased the site in 2016 for just under $5 million and initially proposed two 13-storey buildings accommodating a 260-room hotel, 3,737 square metres of office space, retail, dining and health club.

A plaza with the hotel lobby, retail space, cafes and pedestrian access to Spring Street will link the two towers in the design created by Clarke
Hopkins Clarke.

The City of Greater Geelong refused the 13-storey application and the applicant submitted amended plans for a nine and 10-storey development at VCAT, that were also refused by the council.

The council decided the amended plans for nine and 10 storeys were not in keeping with the intent of the proposed Urban Design Framework for Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue.

VCAT advised it will issue the permit conditions along with their written decision “in due course” and indicated after the hearing that only minor revisions to the design will be required.

Greater Geelong City Planning and Economy Director Gareth Smith said the city acknowledged the decision by VCAT to overturn the city’s refusal to approve a development at 39-45 Gordon Avenue in Geelong West.

“The city will continue to progress the Urban Design Framework for Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue to ensure there is a clear framework in place for future development of this vital area,” Mr Smith said.

“Our current draft framework would allow for six-storey development for this site, which we believe strikes a balance between the need for densification while protecting local amenity.”