New life for Apollo Bay block gutted by fire

The site of a Great Ocean Road restaurant once destroyed by fire could be given new life under a plan submitted to council.

The site of an Apollo Bay restaurant once destroyed by fire could be given new life under a plan submitted to council.

The site of an Apollo Bay restaurant once destroyed by fire could be given new life under a plan submitted to council.

Plans submitted to Colac Otway Shire propose the site – once a Chinese eatery – be turned into three stores and five homes.

The Pascoe St premises have sat vacant since it was destroyed in a 2021 fire, which also claimed the former Bluebird Café and damaged an adjoining hardware store.

Two buildings have been completely destroyed by the fire in Apollo Bay. Picture: Great Ocean Road Brewhouse

According to the plans, the new site would house an IG supermarket, and two smaller shops with frontage to a council car park and Pascoe St.

“Since removal of debris, the site has been vacant and in unproductive economic use,” the report read.

“The site has a frontage to the Great Ocean Road, and currently detracts from the visual amenity of the wider area.”

The site of an Apollo Bay restaurant once destroyed by fire could be given new life under a plan submitted to council.

Three apartments would be two-storey, four bedroom homes with balconies looking over the Great Ocean Road, while the others would be two and three bedroom homes respectively.

Toilets would be available to the public, and a new double width crossover would be constructed on the southern side of Pascoe St.

Applicants also applied to waive the development’s parking space requirements due to the “circumstances” around the site’s redevelopment.

“The opportunity that the site presents to the southern part of the centre, providing a key ‘anchor’ supermarket that will enhance activity and provide an integrated response to the Great Ocean Road and the existing Council car park,” it read.

Properties west of the site are generally homes, while land on the Pascoe St site itself sits within a commercial zone.

The fire – which damaged three buildings in April 2021 – was attributed to an overheated freezer.

“This is a timely reminder that it is important to maintain good airflow around electrical items and appliances,” a Fire Rescue Victoria spokeswoman said at the time.

“Only use certified electrical tradespeople to repair damaged or faulty electrical appliances, wiring or equipment.”

Plans are available to the public until August 7.

Originally published as New life for Apollo Bay block gutted by fire