Newtown approved $90 million apartment project on the Barwon River

Glengarry Developments founder Wayne Jennings owns 57 apartments and 17 townhouses in the approved development of the Newtown Riverside property. Image: Alan Barber

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A $90 million riverside residential development has been approved after Geelong City Council switched positions to support the Newtown project, creating 57 apartments and 17 townhouses.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Court provided a green light for the Glengarry Developments project, located at 510 and 510A Latrobe Blvd in Newtown, which includes a mixture of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and townhouses, which will offer a luxurious Riverside Lifestyle in the only landscape.

The developer made changes to the initial submitted plan, causing the Geelong Council to abandon its objection to the project.

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Glengarry Developments founder Wayne Jennings, who bought the 9580 square metre website in 2008, rejected an earlier plan at VCAT last year.

GKA Architects’ award-winning architect Asher Greenwood designed the project.

Major changes include changing the internal road system and entering the site from Latrobe Blvd, increasing setbacks to the neighboring national trust Barwon Grange, and adding measures to protect the historic Moreton Bay fig tree.

Mr Jennings said the board had issued a license, but developers need to take steps to endorse their plans before construction begins, which could be six to eight months.

The artist’s renderings showcase the Newtown residential project of the Glengarry development designed by GKA architects. 510 and 510a Latrobe Blvd, Newtown.

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The project will build several major buildings and two apartments on either side of the property face the river and a row of townhouses.

A four-story apartment building with a semi-undercover basement will be located at the heart of the development, which will also provide residents with a circle pool and gym and open a riverside cafe to the public.

“I know it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy websites that have rare connections to the riverbank,” Jennings said.

“This vision started with Glengarry, and we have always insisted that it has come true.”

The site houses the demolished Collins Wool Factory on the Balwan River next to the former Albion Woolen Factory building adjacent to the James Harrison Bridge.

The artist’s renderings showcase the Newtown residential project of the Glengarry development designed by GKA architects. 510 and 510a Latrobe Blvd, Newtown.

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The court found that the size of the development responded to the preferred role of the site, pointing to the substantial structure that occupied the heart of Newtown’s industrial.

“I talked to people in the new town and nearby areas and they were excited about the opportunity to live here,” he said.

“It was the only land on the bank, and the rowers headed straight down their noses.

“There is a river cafe on the bank, and there is an L-shaped balcony so you can browse the bank, you can look up at the river and look at the people. If you walk by, you can come in with your pet, have a coffee, sit and relax.”

National Trust and developer Cameron Hamilton owns the nearby mill complex and plans to conduct mixed-use development, both of which oppose the project. VCAT found that the project would not unreasonably affect the convenience of the adjacent nature.

This is the second major residential development approved by the Newtown Bank of Barwon River in the Barwon River, which has received a massive mixed-use project in 2024, including more than 300 apartments.