Portarlington business group gives ringing endorsement to new chocolate factory

A multimillion-dollar seaside chocolate factory is expected to provide a $59m boost for the Bellarine Peninsula in a catalytic development set to propel this booming area further.

Prominent business leaders claim a multimillion-dollar chocolate factory slated for Portarlington could provide a $59m windfall for the Bellarine Peninsula and further propel the booming area.

More than 177 full time jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase of the chocolaterie and accommodation project that has received a ringing endorsement from several prominent businesses and organisations.

Portarlington Business Development Association president, John Rae, said the proposal by planners for The Bellarine Chocolate Co would provide vital employment to the town and “attract younger families”.

He said the once sleepy seaside village was becoming “the next Queenscliff” thanks to major investment from people like business giant Paul Little.

But the proposed development is not without controversy, with the City of Greater Geelong revealing it had received a petition and 64 objections to the project.

It’s understood objectors have questioned the size of the project, its location, heritage factors and associated traffic.

The council also received 50 submissions supporting the project.

The new Queencsliff ferry terminal. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Little – the former Essendon Football Club president – owns Port Phillip Ferries that run direct services to Melbourne from the town’s port and also recently spent $13m renovating the Portarlington Grand Hotel.

“The numbers are there, the people want it and we will be supporting it,” he said.

“The beauty of having the chocolate factory is it will be driven by the kids with parents.

“We need jobs in Portarlington, we need that development so we can employ people.”

Hive business owner, Ashley Andrew, said Portarlington was becoming “the jewel of the Bellarine” and had the infrastructure in place for major development.

Businessman and former Essendon FC chairman Paul Little has a major stake in Portarlington. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

“All the big tickets items in Portarlington have been ticked off,” he said

“You have got the ferry, the pub, the school, the fire station, the supermarket and the petrol station.

“This will now create a tourism destination that will attract jobs, and more younger families to Portarlington and surrounding towns, and a destination for people to come.”

“It’s the next step.”

The bold plan would include a restaurant, 12 farm stay cabins, children’s farm, berry gardens and an apple orchard on a 234,000sq m plot of land on Point Richards Rd near the town’s boundary.

Artist's impressions of the proposed chocolaterie

Mr Andrew said the accommodation alone was desperately needed.

“The biggest dearth in Portarlington and the Bellarine is accommodation, so this is going to help fulfil that shortage,” he said.

Portarlington Development and Business Association president John Rae. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Plans submitted to the City of Greater Geelong also suggest between 36 and 53 jobs will be created once the factory opened.

The city’s director of planning and economy, Gareth Smith, said objectors had received written responses to their concerns from the permit applicant.

“The City will now assess any further responses and/or withdrawals as part of the public notice period and share them with the applicant for consideration,” he said.

Originally published as Portarlington business group gives ringing endorsement to new chocolate factory