$2.5m development planned for Autumn St, Shannon Ave intersection

A $2.5 million three-storey development featuring apartments and office spaces is proposed for a prominent corner in Geelong’s west.

The intersection of Shannon Ave and Autumn St in Manifold Heights could look different if plans before Geelong council are given the green light. Picture: Alan Barber.

A busy intersection in Geelong’s west will get a major makeover if plans for a $2.5m three-storey development are approved by City Hall.

Six two-bedroom apartments and three office spaces form the centrepiece of the application for 229 Autumn St, on the corner of Shannon Ave, in Manifold Heights.

The 600sq m site is currently home to Robertson’s Electronic Services and located diagonally opposite McDonald’s.

Documents show Clete Ryan is behind the project and it is understood his CR Capital Management would occupy one of the commercial spaces.

The application, submitted by Architecture Etcetera on behalf of Mr Ryan, states that the existing 40-year-old, single-storey structure would be demolished to make way for the development.

The site is within General Residential Zone 4, which allows for development that respects the neighbourhood character.

Robertson’s Electronic Services has been based at 229 Autumn St for a number of years. Picture: Supplied.

There are a range of services within a short walking distance, including bus stops, food outlets and supermarkets, while Geelong train station is located 2km to the east.

“The proposal sensitively bridges between the unique circumstances of the site located adjacent both a commercial intersection interface and the lower scale residential sites to the south and west,” the application states.

“This results in the significant improvement of an under-utilised site through provision of a well-designed mixed-use building that responds to the form and scale of nearby development.

“The development is improving a very under-utilised block of land on a prominent inner-suburban commercial corner intersection of two inter-suburban thoroughfares.”

The planned development, as viewed from Autumn St. Image: Architecture Etcetera.

According to the application, vehicle access to the site would be from Shannon Ave, with an existing crossover on Autumn St removed.

Each apartment would be allocated one on-site car park, as would each office, resulting in nine spaces – four below the statutory requirement.

“Ample on-street parking opportunities exist in the area to accommodate the short-term parking demands generated by the site,” the application states.

“The traffic generated by the site is minimal and not expected to compromise the safety and function of the road network.”

Public consultation on the project closes July 15.

Another view of the planned development. Image: Architecture Etcetera.

City Hall is also considering a $6.8m development proposal a block to the west.

Located on the corner of Autumn St and Minerva Rd, the project is also across three-storeys and involves construction of 10 apartments and three commercial tenancies.

Originally published as $2.5m development planned for Autumn St, Shannon Ave intersection