Developers tight-lipped on future of failed Ocean Grove retirement village

The developer behind a failed Ocean Grove retirement village says plans are in progress to redevelop the site, but has not confirmed when.

A picture taken this week of derelict buildings at the failed retirement village on Bonnyvale Road. The buildings have sat in a partially completed state for around 17 years. Picture: Alan Barber.

The developer behind a failed Ocean Grove retirement village says plans are in motion to redevelop the site, but has refused to confirm when works will start.

Seachange Village Nominees is the company behind the partially completed “seachange village” on Bonnyvale Road in Ocean Grove.

Progress on the 136-unit retirement village project stalled about 17 years ago, and the buildings have sat partly built ever since.

Local residents previously said the derelict buildings were home to graffiti artists, arsonists and drugs, and called for them to be demolished.

A picture taken this week of one of the buildings at the failed retirement village on Bonnyvale Road. Picture: Alan Barber

Serafino De Simone, partner at Seachange Village Nominees which owns the site, confirmed designs for the site were in the works.

He said community consultation about the future of the site, which also incorporates the Ocean Grove Hotel, was expected to start next year.

“We are very grateful for the groundswell of community support for our redevelopment ideas and are currently reviewing design options for this iconic site,” Mr De Simone said.

“We are looking forward to providing much needed and improved community and tourism facilities to serve the growing Bellarine population and visitors to this amazing region.

Mr De Simone said future options for all buildings across the site were been evaluated.

“These options will be discussed as part of the 2024 community consultation sessions.” he said.

“In the meantime, we continue to provide upgrades to facilities across the site and are keeping it neat and tidy with regular monitoring and maintenance of all areas.

“This is despite the increasing vandalism and graffiti attacks occurring across Ocean Grove which are concerning for our neighbours, community and us.”

Photos taken of the failed retirement village this week show the derelict state of the partially completed buildings, with graffiti clearly visible on the walls.

A building in the failed retirement village on Bonnyvale Road. Picture: Alan Barber

According to its website, BuildOurVillage, Seachange Village Nominees is planning “exciting new social and community facilities for Ocean Grove and the Bellarine including a new Pub, Big Function Spaces, a Village Green, Wellness Centre, Tourism Hotel and more all integrated with a bespoke eco-residential community that will dramatically enhance the Bonnyvale Rd area and Ocean Grove Township.”

Seachange Village Nominees previously lodged a petition against the State Government’s proposal, which has since been dropped, to remove the site from the Ocean Grove boundary and turn it into a farm zone.

The Ocean Grove hotel, also known as the Collendina Hotel, was a hotspot for Aussie rock royalty in the 80s and 90s. Visitors were able to catch gigs by INXS, Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel and Tina Turner.

City of Greater Geelong planning and design executive director, Gareth Smith, said a planning permit for an aged care facility was granted in February 2002, with an amended permit given in 2008.

“Development started but was not completed and the permit expired,” he said.

“No further application has been received by the City.”

Originally published as Developers tight-lipped on future of failed Ocean Grove retirement village