By Luke Voogt
Skyscrapers could take over Geelong’s skyline after Victoria’s Planning Minister approved the city’s tallest building this week.
Richard Wynne refused to rule out taller buildings after giving the 21-storey apartment tower the go-ahead on Thursday.
“I’ll deal with each development on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
“The sky’s not the limit.”
Mr Wynne approved the Miramar building for Cavendish St despite a report last month that Labor’s Member for Geelong opposed its height as “not Geelong“, saying she would “certainly not support“ developments over 15 storeys.
But Christine Couzens now considered Miramar the “broader context” of Geelong’s development, Mr Wynne said.
“I’ve talked to Christine at length. She’s fully supportive of the project.
“This is one of central Geelong’s first high-rise residential towers and we’ve given careful consideration to ensuring it suits the city’s skyline.”
Mr Wynne expected central Geelong to house 10,000 residents by 2028.
“Geelong is one of Victoria’s most attractive places to live and is growing at rapid rate,” he said.
“New housing options close to services helps us cater to population growth.”
The new building, Miramar, would create 300 jobs or two or three years, said its development manager, Geordie Edwards.
“What we’re trying to do is enhance the city precinct,” he said.
The developers had explained Mirmar’s “low-impact” on surrounding commercial areas to Ms Couzens, Mr Edwards said.
“I think she needed a bit more information on what we were trying to achieve.”
Agents had already sold 37 of the 112 apartments, mostly to owner-occupiers, Mr Edwards said.
“A number of them are looking to downsize.”
Agents sold 19 apartments in March ahead of Mr Wynne’s official approval.
“We went in with a very strong idea we were getting approval,” Mr Geordie said.
Planning consultant Anna Borthwick said the developers worked closely with the state’s planning body to make sure the building reflected the character of Geelong.
The project underwent two state architect panel reviews before approval, she said.
“There’s no point designing apartments that (only) people in Melbourne will like.”
Nearby residents had mixed reactions to the development.
Steve Nasmith welcomed Miramar but doubted that central Geelong had adequate amenities to support numerous residential developments.
“There’s nothing here and look at the roads,” he said.
Georgia Delaney was concerned about the construction process.
“I’m not looking forward to the noise.”
