The final chapter of Geelong's transformative $300 million Balmoral Quay development has been given the official green light after Victoria's Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny stepped in to resolve a prolonged stalemate between the developer and local council.
Ministerial Intervention Breaks Development Deadlock
In a decisive move that ends months of uncertainty, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny used her call-in powers to approve the contentious fifth and final stage of the waterfront project. This intervention came after developer Balmoral Quay Pty Ltd appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) following the City of Greater Geelong's failure to make a determination within the statutory timeframe.
The development application had been languishing with council for approximately seven months without resolution, prompting the minister to take extraordinary action. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Planning confirmed that Minister Kilkenny determined the call-in was appropriate given the project's significance to the Geelong region.
Transforming Geelong's Waterfront Landscape
The approved final stage represents a major milestone for the Balmoral Quay precinct, which has been progressively reshaping Geelong's northern waterfront area. This phase will see the construction of a 12-storey mixed-use building featuring 120 residential apartments, adding substantial density to the increasingly popular waterfront corridor.
Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan acknowledged the project's importance while expressing disappointment about the ministerial call-in. "While it is disappointing that as a council we were not able to determine this application, we respect the decision of the minister," Sullivan stated. He emphasized that council officers had been diligently working through complex issues with the applicant to reach a positive outcome for the community.
Economic Boost and Construction Timeline
The economic implications of the project approval are substantial, with the development expected to generate approximately 400 jobs throughout the construction phase. This represents a significant boost for the local building industry and related sectors.
The broader Balmoral Quay development spans multiple properties along the waterfront, with the final stage specifically located at 6-22 Mackey Street and 25-31 Brougham Street in North Geelong. The project's scale and strategic location make it one of the most significant urban renewal initiatives in the region.
With all regulatory hurdles now cleared, construction is poised to commence, marking the culmination of a vision that began with earlier stages of the Balmoral Quay development. The project's completion will substantially alter Geelong's northern waterfront skyline and provide new housing options in a premium location.
The ministerial decision underscores the state government's commitment to progressing significant developments that contribute to regional growth, even when faced with local government delays. The resolution ensures that Geelong residents will soon see the final piece of the $300 million waterfront transformation fall into place.
