Developers revealed plans to build six-storey office tower in Corio Shopping Centre car park

First there were plans for a drive-in cinema, now there could be a six-storey office building towering over a Corio shopping centre. SEE THE DESIGNS

A six-storey office tower could soon rise above the Corio Village shopping centre, under plans unveiled by developers spruiking the creation of “substantial employment opportunities” in the area.

A planning application lodged with the City of Greater Geelong has revealed the $20m bid to build a 24m-high office block on a 3284sq m chunk of the shopping centre’s southeast carpark.

It comes just months after plans to build a drive in cinema in a different section of the shopping centre carpark was put on hold, amid community concerns with the proposal.

The new office plans, lodged by Techne Projects Australia, would require the existing car park area and a car wash on the site to be demolished, along with the removal of tress and the relocation of a Telstra phone tower.

Artist's impression of the proposed Corio Village office block

The office block would include 6550sq m of leasable office space, a hospitality shopfront on the ground floor, a 34-space second storey car park, 24 secure bicycle parking spaces and further bike and carparking facilities.

The proposal would result in the loss of 66 carparking spaces on the site, planning documents noted, while the 46 parking spaces included in plans falls short of the 231 needed to meet statutory requirements.

Planning documents submitted by the applicants argue the anticipated peak parking demand of the development would be up to 164 vehicles, with the Corio Village Shopping Centre’s car park put forward as able to accommodate the overspill.

A planning report submitted to the city argued the proposed development would “significantly contribute to the revitalisation of the Corio Village Shopping Centre” while also “contributing to the growth and regeneration of the Corio] area”.

Artist's impression of the proposed Corio Village office block

“The proposed development will create substantial employment opportunities within Corio, contributing not only to the local economy, but also more broadly to Geelong’s role within the region of Victoria, creating jobs both during construction and once the building is occupied,” the document noted.

“Through its contemporary design, the proposed development will also contribute the catalysing a new direction in terms of built form design for the Corio Village Shopping Centre.

“The proposed building features a high quality, contemporary design, which will positively contribute to the Corio Village Shopping Centre as well as the character and amenity of the surrounding area.”

The planning application will remain open for public comment until October 20.

Originally published as Developers revealed plans to build six-storey office tower in Corio Shopping Centre car park