Expanded Barwon Heads mansion plans go to Geelong council

Plans for a third storey for a controversial Barwon Heads mansion will face a City Hall planning committee this week, with council officers recommending approval despite 241 community objections.

Renders of the Barwon Heads mansion for 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Ln

Expanded plans for a multimillion-dollar riverside mansion in Barwon Heads are set to come before Geelong council following a period of high-emotion in the Bellarine hamlet over the controversial project.

Council’s planning committee, chaired by Andrew Katos, will meet on Thursday night to rule on whether the family behind the project at 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Lane can amend an already approved permit.

Council earlier granted a permit that allowed for two storeys and a basement level with seven living areas, a cinema, elevator and golf simulator.

It did not require public consultation as a “single dwelling or a single lot”.

The revised plans, subject of the panel meeting, contain 27 amendments.

The planned addition of a third storey is the most contentious amendment, with objectors calling it out of character with the area.

Renders of the Barwon Heads mansion for 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Ln

If approved, the height of the building would increase from 7.5m to 11m.

City officers have recommended the permit be approved under strict conditions, including that the building is finished within four years.

In July 2024, the Geelong Advertiser revealed the wealthy Luckock family as the owners of the land.

The site, which has consolidated four properties at a cost of more than $25m, has a total area of 1553 sqm and runs into the Barwon River.

The development has attracted fierce community backlash, with 241 objections and five letters of support lodged with council.

One resident at a Barwon Heads Association general meeting, held in March, said the scale of the development was not wanted.

Renders of the Barwon Heads mansion for 2A Talbot St and 4-8 Paringa Ln

She said there were concerns it would allow the whole riverfront to be developed which “is just what our village does not want”.

The council officer’s report notes the addition of a third storey as “the most significant change to the previous endorsed plans”.

“The proposed third level is at odds with objectors and some of their concerns have been in regard to the submission and the process of this amended application,” the report said.

The report rejects claims that, if approved, the development would set a precedent, stating the character of the area has to include “larger more contemporary dwelling”.

It also states the development would “not create an excessive visual intrusion” on the landscape when compared to other two-storey properties.

“Therefore, in the officer’s opinion the dwelling will not dominate the riverfront or streetscape,” it noted.

The report recommends the permit be approved in accordance with recommended conditions.

Given the contentious nature of the project, it is likely that the matter will end up before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal regardless of Thursday’s result.

Originally published as Expanded Barwon Heads mansion plans go to Geelong council