A Highton apartment proposal has returned to the City of Greater Geelong for consideration

A developer has made some changes to a controversial $4m Highton apartment plan in the hopes of winning City of Greater Geelong support. Here’s what to expect from the proposal.

A controversial apartment block planned for Highton is back in front of the City of Greater Geelong.

A controversial bid to demolish a home to make way for a three-storey apartment block across the road from Highton Village has been re-lodged with the council – with developers telling objectors “change can be difficult to accept”.

A fresh planning application has been submitted to the City of Greater Geelong detailing the $4m plan to bulldoze a single-storey house on a 711sqm block of land at the corner of Barrabool Rd and Duggan Court, to make way for the three-storey nine-apartment development.

An artist's impression of the proposed Highton apartment block. The plans have been changed and re-lodged with the City of Greater Geelong.

The plans offer a series of minor changes to an application lodged in late 2021, while also including a written response to concerns raised by objectors, the city and Barwon Water.

The initial plans – which also aimed to build seven two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments and a 10 space basement carpark in the apartment block – was largely savaged for its design.

“Watch the Highton residents tee off on this one,” local businessman Andy Pobjoy said.

“It’s wildly inappropriate for the area.

“Developments like this do not belong in Greater Geelong.”

TV presenter and Geelong local Catriona Rowntree labelled the plans “revolting”.

While the developer has lodged fresh plans, which will largely build an extremely similar apartment block, they did submit a response to concerns raised by objectors – pointing out the development was supported by council strategies.

The neighbourhood character of Highton Village is a critical concern for many neighbours who want to retain the look and feel of the area in its current form,” the developer said in its response.

“There is consistency in the responses received that in-fill development of this nature should not be supported in this area.

“The redevelopment of this property to provide for higher density and more diverse living options responds favourably to the strategic direction the City of Greater Geelong wish to see within this area.

“It is understood change can be difficult to accept and proposals such as this are a departure from the existing character of single dwellings which Highton has enjoyed in the past.

“The character of the area has been slowly changing for some time and this proposal is simply another step in the evolution of the Highton’s form which is supported and encouraged by local policy.”

The fresh planning application will remain open for public comment until December 17.

Originally published as A Highton apartment proposal has returned to the City of Greater Geelong for consideration