Formal plans lodged for function centre at Nigel Austin’s Rosemont Estate

A stud farm co-owned by Nigel Austin has lodged formal plans to host weddings and other functions after the local council conceded it was operating without a permit.

A proposal to use Rosemont Estate for up to 16 functions a year has been lodged with Surf Coast Shire Council.

A stud farm co-owned by Nigel Austin has lodged formal plans to host weddings and other functions after the local council conceded it was operating without a permit.

Situated the rolling Barrabool Hills west of Geelong and fronting the Barwon River to the north, Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron isn’t the only person who considers Rosemont Estate just the place to get married.

An application to use the Gnarwarre stud farm as a function centre was lodged with Surf Coast Shire Council on April 2 and went out for public comment on April 17.

Jeremy Cameron and Indiana Putra shared a photo of their wedding on Instagram.

The Volum Rd farm is co-owned by Cotton On’s billionaire founder Nigel Austin.

While it is primarily used as a breeding stud for thoroughbred horses the 566ha property is home to a historic bluestone homestead dating from the 1880s, surrounded by “landscaped gardens, including a tennis court and cricket oval”.

The Surf Coast Shire’s general manager of place making and environment, Chris Pike, said operators were seeking to host 16 functions a year at the site.

“The application is to formalise the use of the site as a function centre, as they are currently

operating without a permit.

They are seeking a total of 16 functions per year.”

Jeremy Cameron married his long-term partner Indiana Putra at Rosemont Estate earlier this year, and the homestead is also used for accommodation according to the application.

According to a planning report prepared by Context Planning, the proposed use as a function centre will not involve any new buildings or works, and “temporary structures and facilities being used for the functions and existing services and vehicle access arrangements used”.

“It is intended that 16 functions will be undertaken each calendar year, allowing for weddings and other events in a picturesque rural setting,” the documents state.

Rosemont Stud principal Anthony Mithen and co-owner Nigel Austin soak up Runaway’s 2018 Geelong Cup win. Picture: Alan Barber

The functions will operate between 10am and 11pm with a maximum of 250 patrons catered for, most of whom will “travel to and from the site by bus”.

“The nature of the function centre is such that external caterers will be engaged to provide

food and drink, while external florists, wedding celebrants, musicians, event suppliers and

cleaners will be involved as required in each function,” planning documents state.

Portable toilets will be provided during functions “and as such there is no requirement to upgrade or further consider the wastewater system currently operating on the land”, the application states.

Rosemont Stud has produced some notable racehorses, including 2018 Geelong Cup winner Runaway and 2021 Cox Plate winner State Of Rest.

The proposal is expected to cost $5000 and advertising will close on May 6.

Rosemont Estate was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Formal plans lodged for function centre at Nigel Austin’s Rosemont Estate