12 years later, work starts on marina, apartments Rippleside project underway

Jessica Benton
WORK has begun on a controversial $67 residential and marina development at Rippleside.
Contractors have started removing asbestos at a former shipyard to make way for the Rippleside Maritime Village.
The project has languished on the drawing board since 1996 when Melbourne developer Trendcorp proposed to build 176 dwellings, a marina and recreational facilities on the site.
Developer Jim Ramsay applied for an extension before the project’s building permit ran out in February. The permit gave Trendcorp three years to start work on the village.
Nearby residents and objectors slammed the delays and the scale of the project.
Opponents had previously argued the development would lead to traffic congestion around the area as well as damage to nearby parkland.
Rippleside Action Group chairperson Peter Jager told the Independent in January that residents and opponents to the development were fed up with the “waiting game”.
“Given that residents have put up with this for over 10 years, there needs to be strict parameters around it now so we don’t end up with another extension in a few years,” Mr Jager said.
Yesterday he said the group had now accepted the development would go ahead.
Members were pleased Trendcorp would not “hold out for another six years” on starting work, he said.
“It looks like he (Ramsay) is finally progressing with it,” Mr Jager said.
“I guess the work that’s happened so far is having little impact on residents except for semi-trailers blocking the roads but we’ll just have to see what happens from here.
“Our intention would be to continue monitoring the process very closely and ensure that Victoria Park continues to be protected.”
Mr Jager was pleased to note Trendcorp had hired a specialist in asbestos removal to start the site clean-up. However, Mr Jager said he was disappointed Trendcorp had decided to use a Melbourne company rather than a Geelong business.
Trendcorp did not return the Independent’s calls for comment before the paper went to press yesterday.