Levande wins approval for $70m Highton retirement village project, eyes now on Ocean Grove

A major player’s dual retirement village push has gained momentum with one approval secured and community consultation beginning on a site with a chequered development history.

Levande has got the green light from Geelong council to transform this parcel of land in Highton into a 125-dwelling retirement village.

It’s one down, one to go for a major player in Australia’s retirement village sector, with plans for a $70m Highton project approved as public consultation commences on plans for a larger proposal on the Bellarine.

Levande had its application for 125 self-contained units in Highton approved by City Hall on Friday.

Located on 4.71ha that it purchased for more than $20m in August 2024, Levande expects to commence civil works on the site that has frontages to both Colac and South Valley roads early next year.

A mix of two and three-bedroom units will be complemented by a two-storey clubhouse and landscaped gardens.

Levande also has plans for a 7.2ha site at 139-175 Bonnyvale Rd in the southeastern corner of Ocean Grove, adjacent to the Ocean Grove Hotel and Surfside Motel and Cabins.

The proposal is for 160 dwellings – 44 two-bedroom and 116 three-bedroom – and a clubhouse featuring a swimming pool, library, communal dining room, bar and lounge.

Levande’s has plans for 160 retirement homes at 139-175 Bonnyvale Rd in Ocean Grove. Image: Supplied.

The plans are out for public consultation until December 18 and Levande chief executive Kevin McCoy said the company hoped to begin works in late 2026.

“While there has been some speculation that the development will impact the popular local Ocean Grove pub, Levande’s application and planned development is completely separate and will have no impact whatsoever on the pub, which will remain,” Mr McCoy said.

“Levande is cognisant of the standing the pub has within the local community and, as with all of our developments, will approach the Ocean Grove development with the utmost consideration and respect for the local area.”

Levande boss Kevin McCoy. Picture: Supplied.

Considerable communal open spaces are promoted in the application, notably a community garden, outdoor recreation spaces, and paths that offer direct access to the beach.

“The proposal has been designed in a manner which is not only sensitive to the coastal environment but actively contributes to it through the landscape led design, responsive building forms and coastal vernacular architecture, which ensures the site is regenerated and restored in a sustainable manner,” the application states.

Image: Supplied.

The site has a long history, including once being home to the Collendina racecourse.

In 1996, it was earmarked for a residential and resort subdivision that never eventuated.

Then in 2002 a new planning permit was issued for what turned out to be the failed Seachange Village retirement home project.

A file picture of the failed Seachange Village project. Picture: Alan Barber.

Eleven partially completed homes from that venture have raised the ire of local residents over the years, with calls for them to be demolished due to anti-social activity.

Levande was supported in its Ocean Grove application by architectural firm Clarke Hopkins Clarke and planning consultancy Tract.

Originally published as Levande wins approval for $70m Highton retirement village project, eyes now on Ocean Grove