Geelong’s big build 2023: The projects set to define the city

More than $14bn worth of new and upcoming developments will help fuel the Geelong region in 2023.

Geelong skyline as it stands on January 2, 2023. Picture: Alan Barber

A multi-billion dollar building boom is set to hit Geelong, with a string of new and upcoming developments expected to help fuel the region’s growth in 2023.

The latest City of Greater Geelong data lists $14.5bn worth of major development across 147 projects that are proposed, approved, under construction or recently completed in the municipality.

According to the latest figures, 34 major projects worth more than $10m have been greenlit, and 42 have started construction.

Punthill Hotel apartments at 22 Bellerine St, Geelong are under construction. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The biggest projects on the ticket are the $4bn Geelong to Melbourne fast rail, a $689m new prison at Lara, the $650m Commonwealth Games Athletes Village and the $750m Waurn Ponds rail duplication,

Last year saw the completion of multiple major projects, including the opening of the new McKellar Centre Acute Mental Health Unit and the Spirit of Tasmania terminal.

GMHBA’s $85m new head office also had its grand opening.

Some of the region’s big-ticket projects on the cards are:

A $50M, 87-room Quest Central Geelong under construction on Gheringhap St.

THE $150m Holiday Inn at Geelong Quarter on Ryrie St, expected to open in 2023, complete with 180 new rooms.

COMPLETION of the Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment on Little Malop St, with a 500-seat and 250-seat theatres, outdoor atrium, more dining options, new back-of-house and administration offices.

KARDINIA Park’s $142m Stage 5 redevelopment comprising a new grandstand, Moorabool St entry plaza, indoor cricket hub and change rooms.

CONSTRUCTION of the $20m 15-storey Punthill Geelong apartment hotel, expected to be completed by 2024

A $53M plan for residential development on Geelong’s waterfront at Rippleside, with more than 50 apartments and townhouses planned across a heritage-protected site. The restoration of St Helen’s Mansion is also a major part of the redevelopment.

A $20M redevelopment of the old Geelong Post Office at the heart of the CBD, with plans for a boutique hotel that includes a rooftop bar, wellness centre, restaurant, cafe and public artwork, which is still in the planning stages.

A $13.5M bid to build 31 townhouses and 15 apartments near the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre in Highton to “bridge the gap between the existing residential neighbourhood of Highton to the north and the Waurn Ponds shopping centre to the south”; and

CONSTRUCTION of the Ormond Rd public housing precinct, which will provide 27 social housing homes and another 27 affordable homes under a $21m state-funded plan due to be completed early next year.

Kardinia Park’s new stand is expected to be completed this year. Picture: Mike Dugdale

G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio told the Geelong Advertiser the approved projects showed how quickly Geelong was forging ahead as a city.

“The vast array of major projects under way shows great confidence in our city and region as a place to live and invest,” she said.

“The question is, will we have enough housing? The current affordable and key-worker housing crisis is creating a labour shortage.”

Ms Baggio called for a plan to attract quality housing to match the big builds taking place across the region.

“For the region to provide the expertise to complete this pipeline of projects and provide ongoing, high-quality employment opportunities, we need a strong pipeline of affordable and key worker housing,” she said.

“We need a diverse array of housing options to meet the needs of our growing population. Creative thinking is key. Geelong is ripe for more high-quality density and urban infill.”

Originally published as Geelong’s big build 2023: The projects set to define the city