Levande lands a green light – with another project close behind
The EQT-owned operator also has plans for a 7.2ha site in Ocean Grove, adjacent to the Ocean Grove Hotel and Surfside Motel and Cabins, the location of the failed Seachange Village retirement home project.
The retirement village operator has been given approval by the City of Greater Geelong to build a $70 million project in the city suburb of Highton.
The approval covers 125 self-contained two- and three-bedroom homes, along with a two-storey clubhouse and landscaped gardens, on the 4.71-hectare site Levande acquired for more than $20 million in August 2024.
Levande, which last month opened The Cambridge in Epping, Sydney, expects to start civil works on the Geelong site early next year.
The EQT-owned operator also has plans for a 7.2ha site in Ocean Grove, adjacent to the Ocean Grove Hotel and Surfside Motel and Cabins, the location of the failed Seachange Village retirement home project.
The proposal is for 160 dwellings, 44 two-bedroom homes and 116 three-bedrooms, and a clubhouse featuring a swimming pool, library, communal dining room, bar and lounge. In addition, there is a community garden, outdoor recreation spaces, and paths that offer direct access to the beach.
The plans are on exhibition until 18 December. Levande Chief Executive Officer Kevin McCoy said the company hoped to begin works in late 2026.
“While there has been some speculation that the development will impact the popular local Ocean Grove pub, Levande’s application and planned development is completely separate and will have no impact whatsoever on the pub, which will remain,” Kevin said.
Levande is supported in its Ocean Grove application by architectural firm Clarke Hopkins Clarke and planning consultancy Tract.
