Public comment open after plans for controversial Barwon Heads mansion released

Plans for the family compound across four blocks on the river bank had already infuriated some locals. Now the owners want to add another storey. SEE THE DESIGNS.

An artist’s render of the development set to be built on 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Ln in Barwon Heads. Picture: Hansen Partnership.

Barwon Heads locals can now have their say on a controversial $27m riverside mansion after the developers applied to increase the height of the building.

Contour Consultants, on behalf of tenants John and Lauraine Luckock, are seeking permission from Geelong council to make a slew of changes to the design of the property on 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Ln.

The revised plans, which contain 27 amendments, includes the addition of a third storey, updated inundation levels and modifications to the boat ramp and boundary fence.

The extra floor will take the mansion’s maximum height to 11m.

This is despite a clause in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme outlining the need to ensure buildings exceeding 7.5m do not dominate the riverfront and allow for the reasonable sharing of views.

The riverside mansion would back onto the river and have a seawall. Picture: Hansen Partnership.

An urban design assessment submitted by consultancy firm Hansen Partnership stated the plans were appropriate.

“We consider the proposal to reasonably respond to the sharing of views between neighbouring properties and the beach,” it said.

“While the increased profile of the building’s third ‘pop up’ storey will be exposed at medium and long range, it will not … compromise the visual setting.”

This was seconded in a Town Planning Report by Contour Town Planners.

“The works will not unreasonably impact upon the visual amenity associated with the Barwon River environs,” the report said.

However, a number of residents are not convinced that the giant mansion is in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

There is also a strong concern that the planned seawall attached to the property will have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment.

A render of the mansion from the Talbot St side. Picture: Hansen Partnership.

Public comment can be made on council’s website and is open until April 2, 2025.

In July 2024, the Geelong Advertiser revealed the multi-millionaire Luckock family as the owners of the land.

An Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) initiative outlined in the design assessment requires the architect to ensure the site has water efficient landscaping and irrigation.

The development narrowly passed the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) by five per cent, with a score of 55 out of 100.

The $27m site, which will combine four separate blocks into one, has a total area of 1553 sqm and runs into the Barwon River.

Construction of the nine-bedroom dwelling, which will also feature a basement and a garage, is expected to cost $2m.

Originally published as Public comment open after plans for controversial Barwon Heads mansion released