The Block’s next location has beach holiday vibes

Reality renovation show The Block looks to be heading to Phillip Island next year, after a company linked to Nine snapped up a holiday resort property there.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor Michael Whelan confirmed the council was in discussions with representatives of the show, which airs on Nine, owner of this masthead, but it was yet to formally apply for a planning permit.

“Bass Coast Shire Council is excited that Channel Nine wants to film the 20th anniversary season of The Block on Phillip Island,” Cr Whelan said. “Council has had positive conversations with representatives from the show, and we look forward to facilitating council approvals.

“Bass Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia, and we would be thrilled to have this national and global TV show shining a light on what makes Phillip Island and the wider region so special.”

A Nine spokesman would not comment on the location of The Block 2024, and said he “would not speculate on future Block locations”.

Built on more than a hectare of land, Island Cove Villas in Cowes includes nine properties: a two-storey, five-bedroom home; six two-bedroom homes; and two three-bedroom homes. It has a tennis court, swimming pool and spas.

The property comes with separate dwellings, a swimming pool and tennis court.Credit: Joe Armao

Close to the beach, and a short drive to the Little Penguin Parade, the property last sold in 2017 for $2,005,000, records show. It was advertised with an asking price of $9.58 million in July.

Corporate entity Tipstone Australia Pty Ltd, whose directors are Rachel Launders and Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby, and whose ultimate holding company is Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited, placed a caveat on the property on September 11, but the sale price will not be public until settlement.

The agent handling the listing, Eview Group’s Leanne Poulton, would not comment on the sale.

The resort property is set to change hands.Credit: Joe Armao

Tipstone is not the usual company associated with The Block. MicJoy Pty Ltd bought previous blocks of land for the program, including those in Hampton East, where the TV show is based this year.

The Phillip Island buy comes after plans to base the popular renovation show in Daylesford came unstuck.

Island Cove Villas has nine separate properties.Credit: Eview Group

Nine had previously bought farmland on Raglan Street, Daylesford, where this masthead reported on the show’s application for five luxury homes submitted to the Hepburn Shire Council by The Block’s architects.

A number of objections by locals, who wanted to take the application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, meant Nine abandoned plans to use it as the location next year.

In August, an application was made directly to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to have her make an accelerated decision, and avoid a VCAT hearing. No decision has been made.

Next year will mark the 20th season of The Block, which started when a derelict apartment building in Bondi was renovated.

The series moved to Melbourne during its fourth season, where it has mostly remained, although an All Stars series was held in Bondi in 2013.