Established Geelong suburbs will have to do the heavy lifting for new homes under ambitious revised targets to double the city’s housing stock by 2051 Highton Village and Bell Park have been singled out as potential hubs for infill development as low to medium building is scaled up The Victorian Government’s revised targets aim to have 77,500 of Geelong’s new homes built in established areas RELATED: Who’s laughing now? Geelong’s 10 best suburbs revealed Future Victoria: No room for cricket in shrinking back yards Uninhabitable Geelong West unit sells $55K above reserve UDIA Victoria Geelong committee chair Nick Clements cautiously welcomed the ambitious target but changes big changes are needed to achieve it Another 51,100 dwelling are earmarked for greenfield sites the number of new homes Greater Geelong needs to build has been cut from 139,800 to 128,600 but the municipality still shoulders the highest target in Victoria UDIA Victoria Geelong committee chair Nick Clements said the development industry welcomed the ambitious target but was concerned there was a lack of detail about how to deliver the “whopping” number He said the plan was inconsistent with the City’s existing Settlement Strategy which aims for a 50:50 split between greenfield and infill development “At the moment we are seeing about 80 per cent of new homes in greenfield areas and 20 per cent in established areas so it’s going to require a substantial shift in mindset for end consumers to be able to tolerate living in higher density product in Geelong,” he said The City of Greater Geelong has approved this 10-apartment complex at 34 Barrabool Rd has been identified as a future target for increased residential building Mr Clements said while the Central Geelong Framework Plan aimed to deliver 16,000 new inner city homes by 2050 a big policy shift was needed to make up the 60,000 shortfall “There are a number of discrete precincts where they have identified as suitable for additional housing growth but those precincts are going to expand considerably,” he said “There’s going to have to be areas such as High St where there will need to be a substantial uplift in density “The consequence of all this is clearly there’s going to be a change in character to a lot of our suburbs.” Geelong director Jim Cross said there was already a trend towards low density development in key suburbs “I think the only way this model works is if they are done in specific locations in micro markets for example right near the Highton shopping hub or right near Pakington St in Newtown or Geelong West,” Mr Cross said was the first four-storey residential complex built outside central Geelong This two-bedroom apartment in the complex resold for $525,000 in December He pointed to the first four-storey apartment building in Halstead Place as a successful example that had resold strongly “It might be that we start to venture out further with these projects near one of the shopping centres,” he said City of Greater Geelong executive director placemaking Tennille Bradley said the region would need significant state and federal investment in services and infrastructure to hit the target She said it was committed to working with the State Government to increase housing supply “We made 35 recommendations in our submission last year detailing many challenges that remain an issue with the final revised target such as reviewing the impact of rate capping on our capacity to meet community need services and facilities in line with population and housing growth and resourcing to deliver new housing supply,” Ms Bradley said “We have called for a state-based approach to deliver affordable and social housing targets and more investment in integrated transport solutions and the regulatory framework in the planning and building sectors.” The Victorian Government’s Central Geelong Framework Plan and Activity Centre Zone aims to encourage apartment development in the city centre She said central Geelong offered the biggest opportunity for infill development but despite generous planning controls and many permits being issued only a small number of residential projects had so far been built The council also has frameworks to develop the strategic Saleyards precinct and South Geelong up to 44,000 homes are slated for the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Area But Villawood Property executive director Rory Costelloe said excessive red tape had seen planning for new estates there drag out for years “The timing has been elongated and the costs have escalated so it’s making it very hard to make it plausible to launch the land,” he said third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. but we don't want to lose you.\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"notfound-page__text-block\",\"children\":\"We recently updated the way we organise our articles 'div-gpt-ad-1511396693346-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1511394032333-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_bottom_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511396722471-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_Hompage_Leaderboard_Position_1' 'div-gpt-ad-1661741627089-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/undefinedTUD_Homepage_Internal_728x90' 'div-gpt-ad-1534480172990-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // home leaderboard (mobile)\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_top_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511397345189-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n 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googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395202314-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_RHS_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395237641-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Mobile_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511489982092-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_2nd_homepage_skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511938773649-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_leaderboard_position_2' 'div-gpt-ad-1510792120057-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Article-page_Position01' initial-scale=1\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"title\",\"2\",{\"children\":\"Anu Corp Adds Storeys for Geelong West Remix | The Urban Developer\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"3\",{\"name\":\"description\",\"content\":\"Now with more floors and units Victoria.\",\"alt\":\"Wardle's design for ANUCORP's project at 5-11 Mercer Street in Geelong West Victoria.\",\"imageDesc\":\"Wardle's design for ANUCORP's project at 5-11 Mercer Street in Geelong West Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook An unusual Geelong West heritage home with an Asian-inspired oriental tower dating back to 1900 has been snapped up in a $1.825m off-market deal An online teaser piqued the interest of a young family who fell for the ornate charms of 37 Villamanta St on first inspection occupies a 843sq m block neighboured by a string of significant heritage residences RELATED: Manifold Heights home sells in four days Inverleigh General Store attracting local interest Family fun factor on steroids in epic back yards An Oriental-style addition sets 37 Villamanta St Newtown agent Heidi Trempel said the buyers planned to put their own stamp on the home which had previously been extended some time ago Three living areas and a wide entrance hall packed with beautifully preserved heritage details such high pressed metal ceilings lead lighting and timber fretwork are highlights of the interior a historic claw foot bath and rear access to garaging for three cars Ms Trempel said she was excited to see what the new owners did with the property which has space for a pool in the back yard “They are going to do further renovations on it and change it to what they want it to be now,” Ms Trempel said Decorative cornices and high ceilings feature throughout “I think they might have been looking in Newtown predominantly because that’s where you find this type of house and this sold off Instagram so for me it was just knowing that kind of property and the character “I literally put the front facade on and a couple of beautiful internal shots and the lady was following me to see what popped up and contacted me … they had a number of kids and thought they could work with it.” is notable for its historical links to wealthy Geelong confectioner and Geelong Art Gallery supporter James McPhillimy It’s believed his family added the distinctive tower to the front of the original six-room house after a trip to the East “It’s very traditional and the room sizes are beautiful and big it’s just got that lovely feel when you walk in lots of features throughout still and lots of character but solid.” Next-door neighbours at 35 Villamanta St, Geelong West, have embarked on their own renovation of that 1400sq m property’s circa 1870s Victorian-era brick villa one of the most significant ever built in the suburb sold to a prominent Newtown business family for $1,849,999 in 2020 gutted Geelong homes spark ‘insane’ interestNicole Mayne But the one-bedder’s sorry state isn’t deterring would-be flippers who are lining up for the chance to renovate the bargain buy The interest in 1/1 French St, Geelong West has been so strong Hayeswinckle agent Matthew Roberts decided to convert its private sale campaign to an auction scheduled for February 22 RELATED: Bidders battle for Geelong West ‘unicorn’ Grand design revealed for historic Claremont home at Waurn Ponds Designer renovation draws early bidding in North Geelong house He said banks were unlikely to lend money on the unit but there were plenty of cash buyers ready to go with almost 50 people already expressing interest The $219,000 to $239,000 price range is a big drawcard though he estimates you would need to spend between $35,000 and $60,000 to bring it up to scratch “Everybody has been pretty willing to take on the work “I think the resale value in it is probably around $330,000 so I guess there’s just enough in it for people not to overcapitalise and obviously the rent return in that area is really good “It’s a bit of a niche market and the fact it would probably get a least $350 a week in rent if it was redone “Most people are either looking to flip it or invest in it.” The one-bedder is also in need of a new bathroom/laundry was previously owner occupied but has been vacant for more than 12 months While construction costs have tempered interest in renovator’s delights more broadly Mr Roberts said the outlay for this one stacked up as a quick whereas you could buy a house for $650,000 in Belmont and you could probably flip it for $1m but people don’t want to overextend themselves,” he said Those who are up for a bigger renovation challenge, however, are excited by a gutted three-bedroom house for sale at 56 Marjorie Ave, Belmont the property comes with a warning to enter your own risk and not outside open times with much of the plasterboard removed stud walls exposed and some sections of timber floor missing Highton agent George Politis said inquiry had been “off the charts” ahead of the March 5 auction Buyers can expect to spend $550,000 to $600,000 on the house where the restumping is just about the only job completed Mr Politis said the flexibility to finish the renovation start afresh or develop was key to the ‘insane’ interest “I’m not sure what it would cost to renovate it but you could spend a couple of hundred thousand on it,” he said “The record in that area is in the early $800,000s so if you are going to spend a couple of hundred thousand on it you are still going to be ahead.” follow the instructions for your browser below This charming four-bedroom Geelong West home sold recently for $905,000 The size of Geelong West is about 2.3sqkm and has three parks covering nearly 2.3 per cent of total area The population of Geelong West in 2016 was 6,976 and by the 2021 Census the number was 7,345 showing a population growth of 5% in the area during that time Geelong West is a residential suburb immediately adjoining central Geelong which included Herne Hill and Manifold Heights In 1839 blocks of land of about 10 hectares were sold by the Government in Geelong West between Pakington Street and Shannon Avenue northwards from the Barwon River to Church Street and smaller blocks of about 0.6 hectares were sold two years later The reason for releasing the land was probably the high speculative prices being paid for land in Geelong central Between 1843 and 1846 the empty land between Geelong and Geelong West between Pakington Street and Latrobe Terrace (later the municipal boundary) An area south of Ashby became known as Little Scotland although in the 1857 census it did not have a particularly high population of residents with a Scotch or Presbyterian religious affiliation During the mid-1850’s there was local agitation for municipal separation from the Geelong town council Twenty years of effort were rewarded on May 29 when the Geelong West borough was proclaimed Its western and eastern boundaries were McCurdy Road and Latrobe Terrace respectively and the northern and southern boundaries more or less Church Street and Aberdeen Street In 1926 an area between Church Street and Bell Parade was taken from Corio shire and added to the borough Several industries were established in Geelong West the largest being Donaghy’s Rope Works (1873) in Pakington Street The Newberry foundry (1886) in Lupton Street was a source of both local employment and cast-iron building materials used for the many timber houses to be found in Geelong West Shopping in Geelong West had begun in Pakington Street in the 1850’s and it became the main shopping strip in Geelong West It was originally served by a tram line (1912) and other tram lines ran along Church Street and Latrobe Terrace confined to the eastern side of the municipality This left nearly two-thirds of the municipality to be served by buses which came in 1926 with Benders Busways Manifold Heights in the middle of the municipality came under residential development in the 1920’s and Herne Hill to its west is mainly a post war suburb The vast majority of houses were single-storey timber structures double-fronted Edwardian or Federation style and through to Californian bungalow the timber houses fell in popularity as families preferred newer Some cottages were knocked over for car-parking space and it was not until the 1980’s that the timber houses were seen as desirable from the points of view of price and restoration CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Geelong West is 20-29 years with households in Geelong West being primarily couples with children and are likely to be repaying on average $1,996 per month on mortgage repayments people in Geelong West work in a professional occupation Geelong West officially became a town on March 22 An inhabitable Geelong West unit has sold $55,000 above reserve as five bidders tried to get on their hands on the bargain flip prospect The boarded up one-bedder, at 1/1 French St East Geelong auctioneer Matthew Roberts estimates another $25,000 to $40,000 is need to make the unit liveable for someone with trade skills RELATED: Bring boots and a torch: public housing dump hits market Custom Pivot home centrepiece of Winchelsea property Geelong’s 10 best performing suburbs revealed More than 60 buyers inspected the 1/1 French St Most were not daunted by the task of revamping the unit But he said even after paying a 25 per cent premium on the $220,000 reserve it still stacked up for the buyer who plans to add value with a view to renting it out short term and potentially flipping down the track “At that price the yield is still really good,” Mr Roberts said and it only sold for $240,000 and that wasn’t long ago “I think if you were to flip it straight away you could get anywhere between $330,000 and $350,000 for it so it would probably stack up that way even with stamp duty some of the units in that area are going for anything from $300 to $350 a week.” The combined bathroom/laundry needs some attention More than 60 groups inspected the smoke-damaged unit which had been owner-occupied but not lived in more for more than a year Mr Roberts said he had never started an auction as low as this one which he kicked off with a $150,000 vendor bid adding another 78 bids before the hammer eventually fell “I never thought the best sale so far this year would come at that price point,” he said “The market is always driven by price and if it looks the part and it stacks up The property flies well under Geelong West’s median unit price of $490,000 An un-renovated Geelong West “rough diamond” once home to a family of 14 is set to be restored to its former glory Buyers with a vision to bring 14 Maitland St into the 21st Century snapped up the three-bedroom one-bathroom house for $675,000 at auction on Saturday They were among four bidders keen to unlock the potential of the Victorian-era weatherboard on a 364sq m corner block RELATED: Four bidders contest Highton home last sold in 1972 Where Geelong homebuyers can find an edge as afforability bites Cool concealed cellar the cream on top of dairy farm The vendor’s family moved into the Victorian-era house back in 1959 It was the first time the property had been offered for sale since the seller’s family moved in back in 1959 Jellis Craig Geelong auctioneer Jeff Begg said it was with a heavy heart that the family had decided to let the house go she’s a proud old girl and there’s history here,” Mr Begg said “1959 was when the family that’s selling today moved in 11 brothers and one sister – a cricket team and a maiden over.” Jellis Craig Geelong agent Jeff Begg calls the auction The property was declared on the market once the eventual buyers raised their penultimate bid to $665,000 The house retains some period elements such a fireplace in one of the bedrooms as well as a central lounge and an open-plan kitchen dining and living area which links to a covered patio There’s side access to the north-facing rear yard and a carport via Picton St Slate tiles and timber cabinetry feature in the open-plan kitchen The north-facing corner block was attractive to potential buyers “They were attracted to it because it was original and they’re gong to go in and do a full renovation,” Mr Begg said “The corner block was a big plus because off-street parking is a rarity in Geelong West and the potential was there “The beauty about that part of Geelong West is not just the proximity to Pakington St but you are just as close to town and the waterfront Sam and Brylee Winfield transformed a Geelong West miner’s cottage into a stylish home They share how the colourful and compact abode is full of heart Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) A refined approach to hospitality meets a blue-collar past at Geelong West’s Meet Me At Mary’s SANTA Claus will be riding around in a four-wheeled sleigh on Christmas Eve making a series of stops in Geelong’s west and south and spreading the festive cheer Geelong’s traditional Christmas Eve Santa Runs take place at two of the city’s CFA branches Geelong West Fire Brigade and Grovedale CFA will again provide a free lift for Santa on Tuesday dropping off lollies and presents to local children and their families before his yearly sleigh run around the globe Geelong West Fire Brigade’s Santa Run will start at 3.10pm at Kenwith Reserve a sensory-friendly no sirens stop at Bakers Oval (7.30pm) The Grovedale Fire Brigade will begin its Santa Run from 2.30pm at Grovedale Recreation Reserve then will spend time at Glenlee Regional Park (3pm) and Bunjils Nest Playground in Mount Duneed (5pm) The Grovedale brigade has again partnered with local lolly provider The Sweets Lab for a third consecutive year to provide the sweets for children Highton and Corio have already conducted their yearly Santa Runs Both brigades will also be on standby for any callouts and may be required to cut the Santa Run short or cancel it altogether For full details on both coming Santa Runs can be found on each brigade’s Facebook page architectural homes near the Barwon River and a blue ribbon pocket close to prestigious schools are among the factors driving Geelong’s most expensive streets New analysis from Ray White Property Economics has revealed the city’s streets with the cheapest and most expensive median home value widely regarded as one of the city’s best residential streets was the only one with median price exceeding $2m The cheapest streets were in the northern suburbs of Norlane and Corio Norlane with a street median value of $380,000 A historic five-bedroom Californian bungalow which sold for $5.95m last September is emblematic of the draw of Virginia St where homes on one side of the street enjoy extra-large blocks Other homes have sold for more than $3m in the past two years RELATED: Buyer has vision for abandoned Charlemont farmhouse Masterful renovation flips the dial on Manifold Heights home Landmark Newtown residence offers chance for new owners Yemoneit occupies an impressive 2697sq m parcel of land with a tennis court and swimming pool at 51 Virginia St Buyers plan to splash even more renovating the two-storey bungalow Virginia St leads seven of the top 10 entries though the analysis suggests buyers wanting a piece of the action in Newtown’s most exclusive streets often had to settle nearby given the tightly-held nature of the area Upper Skene St and Noble St are near the top of the list Newtown agent Heidi Trempel said the list didn’t reflect Newtown’s true premium streets as so few homes have come on the market there in recent years “At the end of the day that part of Newtown is generational It’s the kind of streets where a number of houses are coming up because of the generation that’s moving on,” Ms Trempel said The suburb’s prestigious college precinct was the number one drawcard for buyers The schools precinct contains The Geelong College “A lot of people are coming for that premium secondary school experience The kids get to a certain age and mum and dad don’t want to bus them in Most families end up staying 15 to 20 years before deciding to move again The premium streets of Newtown are renowned for their bigger blocks and period houses “Usually being in those streets is something that they’ll aspire to but more so that the value there holds really well,” she said Highton’s Watersedge Terrace is regarded as one of the suburb’s most exclusive streets but a clutch of recent sales underlines why the Queens Park cul-de-sac hugs a path along the Barwon River McGrath Geelong agent Mergim Ibrahimi said The four-bedroom house at 58 Rivergum Drive He also attributes the work done by architect Zarinan Gurrie and others in creating stunning homes were tied for Highton’s second-best streets behind Willowfield Court and ahead of a portion of Montrose Place But Rivergum Drive is a new kid on the block attracting plenty of attention Mr Ibrahimi said Rivergum Drive is a product of the 2010s – more than 20 years younger than Watersedge Terrace – with big homes often sporting long list of standard features such as pools outdoor entertainment and sporting areas and zones for kids and adults Both streets offered direct access to the Barwon River “I don’t know that anyone ever comes to me and says I want to buy a house in Watersedge Terrace as it’s quite tightly held,” Mr Ibrahimi But he said cashed up empty-nesters definitely put Rivergum Drive on their shopping list for its enviable collection of modern “They want somewhere where it’s flat and Rivergum Drive does offer that So if you want modern luxury and proximity to river walking tracks that’s really the only street you’ll find.” Geelong West is another product where the size of the blocks at the west end elevates the street value The oasis among the suburb’s traditionally tight inner city blocks allowed people to devise big renovations capitalising on the rear right-of-way access available to both sides of the street Jellis Craig Geelong West agent Marcus Falconer said Cheapest street: The three-bedroom house at 16 Bellbird Ave “The beauty with Albert St is most people tend to do significant renovations in the strip because the blocks lend themselves to being able to fit a larger renovation than a standard Geelong West block does,” he said “It’s one of the key factors in its popularity because it’s got to be in the top five streets of Geelong West.” The other quintessential factor for Geelong West buyers is the Pakington St and Shannon Ave shopping strips “At one end you’ve got Coles and Aldi and Baker’s Delight and Dan Murphy’s and Geelong Fresh Ray White Property Economics senior data analyst Atom Tian Go said the most expensive streets across the country tended to be close to water Geelong West is the city’s premium retail strip Geelong West is expected to attract a crowd of potential buyers after being put up for sale for the first time in 44 years Disabled and aged care service provider genU is selling the commercial property at 149B-151 Pakington St, Geelong West Colliers Geelong agents Jonathon Lumsden and Ned Tansey are leading the campaign that’s set to finish with at auction on March 6 RELATED: Chemist Warehouse key to $7m ‘island’ site with upside Barwon Heads institution Starfish Bakery for sale after 25 years Bidders battle for Geelong West ‘unicorn’ 149b-151 Pakington St, Geelong West, goes to auction on March 6. Mr Lumsden said early interest is from local investors who already have a holding on Pakington St and some Melbourne buyers seeking a development opportunity. Pakington St, Geelong West is the city’s premium commercial strip where the sale of properties within the core hub are rare, but expensive. “This is a rare opportunity to secure a prime commercial property in one of Geelong’s most sought-after locations,” Mr Lumsden said. “The flexibility and potential of this site make it an attractive proposition for a wide range of buyers.” The property is effectively two vacant buildings divided by an internal courtyard on a 327sq m site zoned Commercial 1. An internal courtyard divides the buildings on the site. Each building has its own amenities, while the front site has direct entry off Pakington St. Mr Lumsden said the layout allowed for various uses, such as full or partial occupation, investment or redevelopment. There is carparking at the rear of the site, which backs on to a council-owned public car park. “You could ultimately occupy or lease it as a whole or you could occupy the front and lease the back,” he said. “The way they are configured, both have got their own amenities so you’re not having to share amenities if you are trying to split buildings.” The central courtyard could also be valuable real estate if made available to a hospitality business, given the small footprint available for outdoor dining on the street. Mr Lumsden said potential tenants could be a mix of retail business, hospitality and consulting businesses. The rear building has entry from the courtyard. There is rear parking available on the property, which also faces a council-owned car park off Albert St. “You could strip the front out and turn it into a hospitality venue and you could have the back as a consulting business,” he said. Records show the property last traded in 1981 for $62,000. Since then, Pakington St, Geelong West, has become the city’s premium commercial property strip. Sales in recent years have set land rates of around $6000 per sq m. A nearby corner holding at 168 Pakington St, sold in 2024 for $1.78m. The tenanted investment is leased to Splatters, the state’s first cheese train. Also on the opposite side of the street, the property home to The Village Door cafe sold for $1.4m in 2022. realcommercial.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Disabled and aged care service provider genU is selling the commercial property at 149B-151 Pakington St, Geelong West RELATED: Chemist Warehouse key to $7m ‘island’ site with upside Barwon Heads institution Starfish Bakery for sale after 25 years Bidders battle for Geelong West ‘unicorn’ Mr Lumsden said early interest is from local investors who already have a holding on Pakington St and some Melbourne buyers seeking a development opportunity Geelong West is the city’s premium commercial strip where the sale of properties within the core hub are rare “This is a rare opportunity to secure a prime commercial property in one of Geelong’s most sought-after locations,” Mr Lumsden said The property is effectively two vacant buildings divided by an internal courtyard on a 327sq m site zoned Commercial 1 An internal courtyard divides the buildings on the site while the front site has direct entry off Pakington St Mr Lumsden said the layout allowed for various uses There is carparking at the rear of the site which backs on to a council-owned public car park “You could ultimately occupy or lease it as a whole or you could occupy the front and lease the back,” he said both have got their own amenities so you’re not having to share amenities if you are trying to split buildings.” The central courtyard could also be valuable real estate if made available to a hospitality business given the small footprint available for outdoor dining on the street Mr Lumsden said potential tenants could be a mix of retail business The rear building has entry from the courtyard There is rear parking available on the property which also faces a council-owned car park off Albert St “You could strip the front out and turn it into a hospitality venue and you could have the back as a consulting business,” he said Records show the property last traded in 1981 for $62,000 has become the city’s premium commercial property strip Sales in recent years have set land rates of around $6000 per sq m A nearby corner holding at 168 Pakington St The tenanted investment is leased to Splatters the property home to The Village Door cafe sold for $1.4m in 2022 The vendors of this period reproduction house in Geelong West like to say that it was designed around their underground cellar Constructing a space to celebrate a passion for wine had been a long-time dream for the couple who finally got the chance to make it a reality when a knockdown rebuilt project presented itself 16 years ago a joiner spent countless hours crafting the custom shelving in the temperature controlled cellar that’s become a favourite space for entertaining RELATED: True blue renovation locks in windfall for Newtown home Historic Winchelsea homestead sold for millions The weatherboard facade enables the contemporary build to blend into the heritage streetscape The underground cellar is accessed with fingerprint technology Throw into the mix a north-facing deck with an outdoor kitchen and barbecue, a swimming pool and a large first floor balcony and the quality-built custom home at 72 Clarence St, Geelong West has just about every social gathering covered The vendors even chose a block in the wide part of Clarence St and installed then a wide driveway so visitors would have space to park that was his dream – we always say that the house is built around the cellar,” the vendor said “Even the joiner that did our kitchen and vanities said that out of the all the work he has done as a joiner the cellar was his best work and the job he was most proud of because he didn’t buy the racks we have dinner down there and the good thing is you don’t even know what time it is.” The swimming pool is the centrepiece of the low-maintenance back yard Custom timber joinery features throughout the house Bi-fold timber doors creates a seamless indoor-outdoor flow The contemporary two-storey residence is full of surprises with most first-time visitors taken aback with the amount of space hidden behind the modest heritage-style facade a purpose-built study and the choice of two main bedroom suites Quality finishes such as blackbutt timber floors create a timeless style in the entry hall that flows past the ground floor bedrooms family bathroom and laundry to the main open-plan living zone at the rear two sets of bi-fold door blur the indoor/outdoor line between the dining and lounge areas and a covered deck overlooking the private pool and landscaped gardens There’s the option to cook outside or retreat to the expansive modern kitchen with a long island bench custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances Outdoor heaters and a built-in barbecue feature in the outdoor entertainment area The second living area has its own bar and balcony The vendors opted to use the entry level main bedroom suite freeing up the first floor alternative for each of their three children in turn She said this essentially created a teen retreat upstairs kitchenette/bar and a balcony with a panoramic view they all had their mates up there,” she said “You could also have it as a guest bedroom as it’s separate.” Any guests who do stay over will get the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite with a freestanding bath A double garage with a storeroom and a poolside changeroom complete the picture Jellis Craig Geelong agent Jeff Beff is handling the sale of 72 Clarence St A first-time buyer searching for a home on-and-off for three years has snapped up the contracts to a renovated Geelong West house before it went to auction The three-bedroom brick veneer house at 34 Trigg St was snapped up for $820,000 the second house in a few weeks to sell amid competition prior to going to auction A renovated three-bedroom weatherboard house at 24 Trigg St sold for $810,000 two weeks ago after gaining early interest from several buyers RELATED: Local lands Lara home auctioned for Geelong health charity 100s for sale: Geelong’s biggest buyers’ markets revealed First-time buyers reveal interest to snap up Geelong West home Geelong agent Will Ainsworth said there was other interest in the house with several investors also hooked on the brick veneer construction but they probably weren’t going to reach as deep into the pockets for the home including highlighting the polished floorboards Mr Ainsworth said the sale far exceeded his vendors’ expectations for the property which had been listed with a $700,000 to $770,000 price guide The home had been an investment for nine years before the vendors decided to undertake a cosmetic renovation (including replacing the kitchen and bathroom) prior to selling after considering to cost of alternatively subdividing and selling two blocks of land or building townhouses The kitchen was one of the major updates to the home “It just showed a real desire for that sort of property in that price point that’s ready to go,” he said “They’re really desirable at the moment – anything between $700,000 and $850,000 any properties that don’t require too much work.” The pre-auction sale ensured the best outcome The bathroom was also remodelled with a shower over a new tub “The other buyers were investors and in my pre-auction chats with them they weren’t necessarily seeing value where the other buyer was,” Mr Ainsworth said “If there’s a gap between the best buyer and the second and third sometimes selling it prior to auction is the best option for the vendors.” Buyers Butler buyers agent Matt Linney said they were ready to pull the trigger when it became time to talk including a pest and building inspection on the property “My client had been looking on and off for around three years and not finding something within their budget,” he said Mr Linney said the buyer had been sharing a rental home with a friend while saving a deposit “They really liked the concept of a 1970s home with the renovation inside and with a bit of character,” he said The property offered a 530sq m land component “They didn’t really want to do any work either they wanted to move into something that already had those renovations completed.” Mr Linney said by studying what other properties were selling for they were able to get a better read on the market “The main issue was previously not understanding the value of particular properties and going in with a budget that most likely wasn’t enough to purchase when they first started,” he said But by tracking how much other properties were selling for they were able to find comparative sales to assess what kind of properties were selling in the area Liberal candidate for Corio Darren Buller City of Greater Geelong mayor Cr Stretch Kontelj and Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson with Pakington Street traders GEELONG West’s Pakington Street will receive a CCTV upgrade to deter crime and boost community safety if the Coalition is elected on May 3 Liberal candidate for Corio Darren Buller joined Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson City of Greater Geelong mayor Cr Stretch Kontelj and several local traders in Pakington Street on Monday to announce the $40,000 investment for the well-regarded shopping hotspot The commitment will be used to fund nine CCTV cameras and will be delivered under a restored Safer Communities Fund a former crime prevention grant program initiated by the Morrison Liberal Government Mr Buller said the election pledge had been made in direct response to concerns raised by local residents and Pakington Street traders about a recent increase in antisocial behaviour and crime in the area the Liberals are responding quickly with practical measures to ensure that working and shopping in Pako is safer for everyone,” he said Senator Henderson said the CCTV upgrade was aimed at ensuring the Pakington Street shopping precinct continues to go from strength to strength I thank mayor Stretch Kontelj and Council for ensuring community safety across our community is a high priority,” she said “Pakington Street in Geelong West is home to many wonderful shops cafes and other businesses and these CCTV cameras will ensure Pako continues to be a great place to shop a Dutton Liberal Government would partner with the City of Greater Geelong to deliver the CCTV upgrades Opposition spokesperson on Home Affairs and Cyber Security Senator James Paterson said that under a Dutton Liberal Government the Geelong West community would be stronger more secure and better supported to tackle crime “Getting Australia back on track means keeping Australia safe – safe for families safe for businesses and safe for communities,” he said “Projects delivered under the Safer Communities Fund will help protect local communities by ensuring they have appropriate security infrastructure in place alarm systems and security lighting.” Geelong West’s clash against Lara was drawn to a close before the final siren after an injury to a Giants player Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535. Monday to Friday 7:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Police have provided an update in the search for a missing man with dementia who was last seen in Geelong West are inviting all to the grand opening night of Queens Piano Bar; the newest key-bangin’ bar in Geelong The team have been working hard behind the scenes want you to celebrate the news with a huge weekend to kick off the new venture Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here A post shared by The Queen (@thequeengeelong) a professional pianist and the godfather of Piano Bars and the man behind the world-famous Minsky’s Piano Bar in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs will be there to get the party started as you drink dine and dance the night away to the songs of yesteryears and today Queen and ABBA to Taylor Swift and Amy Winehouse Table and Booth bookings are available online is scheduled to be auctioned on September 7 One of Geelong West’s earliest homesteads has finally been given the renovation it deserves with a much-needed makeover proving worth the wait ‘Homewood’, a double brick beauty which has stood at 180 Autumn St since 1864 is once again the pride of the neighbourhood after the grand reveal of its first class transformation a new rear extension delivers a cracking contemporary living space that connects the house to the prized north-facing back yard RELATED: Six bidders raise a hand for Belmont stunner Builder’s own home breaks cookie-cutter mould Geelong’s best suburbs for buyers revealed But you only have to peer through the custom glass hatch into the original wine cellar below to see that the home’s heritage is far from forgotten Geelong listing agent Jim Cross said the vendors commissioned a custom fabricated steel frame with special thickened glass to make a feature of the cellar It’s just one example of the workmanship that’s gone into creating a high-end finish throughout the four-bedroom house The vendors were going for volume in the rear extension The new back deck catches all the northern sunlight “They bought the property unrenovated and they saw so much potential to do a first class extension and renovation and it has come up amazing,” Mr Cross said “The workmanship and the fixtures and fittings and design of the whole property is gorgeous and on point for today’s current standards.” dining and living room is a light-filled revelation it showcases feature windows that seem to stretch skywards elegant herringbone timber floors and oversized glass sliding doors onto a rear deck Peer down through the hatch to the original cellar below Two of the front bedrooms have period fireplaces “They have really capitalised on that north-facing back yard with that open-plan area,” Mr Cross said.” So having that vaulted ceiling and that height out the back adds that volume to that whole area so it just feels like a gorgeous home to live in but also entertain in.” No entertainer’s home is complete without a quality kitchen and this one doesn’t disappoint The highlight is a 4.2m island bench topped with Calacatta stone that’s paired with navy toned cabinetry for a classic finish An internal courtyard sits between the main bedroom suite and the rear extension The central bathroom has a freestanding tub A separate studio could be a home office or additional living space Mr Cross said a separate studio at the rear lent itself to a home office or extra living zone The 825sq m property currently has off-street parking for two cars but there is scope to add a triple garage alongside the studio A deep set back also provides play space in the front yard under the shade of Norfolk Island pine that was planted in 1915 to celebrate the marriage of former resident Elsie Geelong agent Jim Cross has scheduled the auction of 180 Autumn St Moving an old miner’s cottage forward 3m on its Geelong West block has helped vendors add almost $1m to the value of their property Brady and Laura Lane opted to delicately reposition the “derelict” period home closer to Avon St to unlock extra space as part of a major renovation While watching it slide along metal bearers was a nerve-racking 10-minute experience the manoeuvre proved a masterstroke that’s paid off handsomely RELATED: Prayers answered as Thomson church conversion sells big Retro Bell Park time capsule winds back the clock Marvellous renovation transforms Newtown home The couple just sold the renovated four-bedroom residence at auction for $1,487,500 “It was a massive setback in the front yard and for the design parameters of keeping the house and renovating it made it easy than knocking down and starting again,” Mr Lane said “It meant we could have a four-bedroom house with two living areas rather than a three-bedroom house with one living area because we moved it forward 3m.“Maybe we could have saved some time by knocking it over but it’s nice to keep something.” The kitchen has dual Asko ovens and an induction cooktop A subtle pink theme pops up throughout the house He said squatters had been living in the house which had boarded up doors and windows when it last sold for $516,500 in 2020 achieves an 8.6-star energy rating and is flush with high-end finishes lime-based plaster bathrooms walls and a rare kitchen bench top chosen from Artedomus’ Saria Collection are among features that attracted premium buyers throughout the campaign The north-facing garden has also had a makeover Mr Lane said he and his wife had expensive tastes and also invested behind the scenes with quality insulation insulated concrete floors and low VOC paints to create a healthy home for their family Vaulted ceilings are a highlight of the open-plan rear living zone which overlooks the north-facing back yard The front section of the house offers a second lounge and four bedrooms including the luxe main bedroom suite with a pink hued ensuite I’ve got a wife and two girls so it’s a very pink house but I’m not complaining,” Mr Lane said The Geelong Agency listing agent Mitchell Falzon said the quality of the renovation attracted a lot of premium buyers from Newtown but it was a Melbourne couple moving down to be near their daughter that stepped forward “From day dot they were just enthralled,” Mr Falzon said “Tim Adams designed this and he’s a real needle mover in the scene of sustainable real estate and this home specifically was a key note for a lot of professional meetings that he used to have with other architects and building designers to show them the capabilities and necessity for sustainable real estate and how you can be conscious of comfort too.” He said many people attending inspections were looking for inspiration for their own renovation projects “It was certainly the quality and aesthetic that attracted people,” he said With sirens echoing through the streets and Santa Claus leading the way this beloved tradition has become a highlight for families across Geelong West Geelong West brigade’s Christmas Eve Santa Run has been spreading holiday cheer for as long as most locals can remember This cherished event sees the brigade escort Santa Claus on a tour of local parks bringing festive joy to children and adults alike What makes this tradition so unique is not just Santa’s arrival in a fire truck but the unmistakable sound of firefighters singing their version of 'Jingle Bells'— a special rendition that adds a playful local twist to the classic Christmas carol the firefighters enthusiastically belt out the tune Santa also delights children by handing out lollies who has perfected the role of Santa over the years and infectious holiday spirit make the experience magical for everyone involved “Brendan really embodies the spirit of Christmas,” said a fellow brigade member “It wouldn’t be the same without him and the effort he puts into making it so special for the community.” The Santa Run is not just about spreading joy but also about fostering a strong connection between the brigade and the community It’s a reminder of the vital role firefighters play not only in emergencies but also in bringing people together during moments of celebration Geelong West Fire Brigade is gearing up for another round of sleigh bells For the families awaiting Santa’s arrival at their local park it’s a festive tradition that captures the true spirit of the season: community View all stories View more contacts Tweets by CFA_Updates We are currently experiencing issues with our embedded Twitter feed We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land Copyright 2025 CFA (Country Fire Authority) A former Geelong West butcher shop has been transformed into a clever home and office space thanks to the vision of Jack Chen and Hidy Wong Newtown & Chilwell set up a finals rematch against rivals South Barwon with the Eagles advancing to next Saturday’s preliminary final following a strong response against Geelong West Catch up on this week's latest scores and AFL stories with ABC Sport. A couple looking to relocate back to Geelong has secured a three-bedroom Californian bungalow that’s just right for their future plans The character residence at 11 Eureka St was just within the search radius for the couple who had initially planned to curtail their search to the blue chip suburb of Newtown Gartland Geelong agent Will Ainsworth said which had been passed in at auction without a bid in May midway through the $1m to $1.1m price guide RELATED: How stage 3 tax cuts brings more Geelong homes within reach Building designer’s own Newtown home renovated with flair Highton bungalow born from Montpellier Hotel goes glam they grew up down here and so they are moving down and sort of putting roots down in the Geelong area,” Mr Ainsworth said “They really only just started their search but this one fit the bill and they thought what’s the point of looking around anymore we can buy this and move in down the end of the year.” Auctioneer Will Ainsworth placed a $1m bid for 11 Eureka St before passing in the property without a bid from the street Mr Ainsworth said although they wanted a Newtown address they were happy to consider the right property in the block immediately north of Aberdeen St “They want Newtown but they’d been looking around and this one was sitting on 536sqm with rear access plus the fact that it’s liveable as is for the moment and then they can renovate down the track as opposed to what they’ve been looking at that’s either of fully renovated and too expensive or dilapidated The Californian bungalow showcased high ceilings and decorative leadlight windows typical of the era The main bedroom offered a peaceful retreat complete with a dressing room with a north-facing window seat and an ensuite The main living area is a spacious area with French doors opening to a wraparound outdoor area The separate kitchen has a built-in pantry and a Miele dishwasher Mr Ainsworth said the addition of rear access to off-street parking meant the block didn’t waste space on a driveway “They’ve got some builders throughout their family So they come and had a look at it and gave it the tick of approval on the basis that it’s still in solid nick but cosmetically they can do an update down the track.” Newtown auctionsPeter Farago A young tradie has struck real estate gold in Geelong West after landing an old miner’s cottage in dire need of renovation The three-bedroom house at 87 Weller St is located in a sweet spot in the popular inner city suburb with the front gate to the property just 150 metres off the Pakington St shopping and cafe strip The 287sq m property has offered for sale with a $545,000 to $595,000 price guide but sold for $617,000 at Saturday’s auction RELATED: Newtown townhouse snapped up in four days What Geelong home prices could be by 2029 Young couple to tackle unfinished Grovedale home Geelong agent Carl Hammond said five bidders had contested the auction for the property all keen to unlock the hidden value in the old gem which CoreLogic records show last sold for $40,000 in 1989 with at least 80 people witnessing the auction The traditional double fronted facade is laced with original wrought iron lacework “A young tradie has bought it and he’s going to renovate it for resale,” Mr Hammond said Mr Hammond said the home had clearly seen better days so was an ideal opportunity for a keen renovator or a blank canvas for a dream home “There was a couple of people that were looking to renovate and extend for themselves and a couple that were looking to renovate and resell,” he said The auction continues a string of sales to young people with trades under their belt of inner-city homes needing renovation reflecting an air of confidence in the market The position is close to Pakington St to enjoy the dining options and shopping without the street noise “There is renewed interest in that type of property that has been a bit light on in the last few years,” Mr Hammond said “Anything circling $600,000 is hard to find in Geelong West.” The previous sale in the street, at 41 Weller St The three-bedroom residence has been refreshed with updates to the kitchen and bathroom in the freestanding house PropTrack data shows the median house price has dropped almost 10 per cent in the past year Meanwhile new owners are prepared to make a fresh start after snapping up an original period house near Newtown’s river end Pakington St shopping strip for $500,000 The two-bedroom house at 38 Russell St had seen better days with Jellis Craig Geelong agent Marcus Falconer stating the 269sq m land component was where the true value lied “It was two developers that were interested in it,” Mr Falconer said New owners could activate the back yard at 38 Russell St “It was probably in was really poor condition and that certainly limited the amount of people that have got the additional funds to make the extra reinvestment in it.” But he said there were redeeming features for buyers seeking to build is looking forward to a new start in Newtown and will utilise it for her family,” Mr Falconer said “I think they’ll basically utilise the facade and do a modern addition on the back taking advantage of the depth of the block and the north-facing backyard.” The property has a 5m frontage that widens to 7m at the rear The location was certainly the prime feature of the property which is a 10-minute walk to South Geelong train station and only moments from the shopping precinct in Pakington St Chilwell and St Roberts were the local primary schools The chance to finally work together has seen two sisters put their own stamp on Geelong West’s much-loved Steampacket Foods Geelong West Giants’ A graders were forced to find an extra gear on the way to their first win in the GDFNL in three years Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE Rosemary Nugent empowers women to stand for council and helps the Geelong community where she can She speaks with Jena Carr about what she loves about living in Geelong and her role with the Women in Local Democracy committee After teaching in the country and travelling overseas I returned to Geelong to teach and have remained here Having vibrant and liveable cities is essential and I would like to see a reduction in the car culture and an increase in the use of public transport It would be nice to see an increase in the housing stock for the many people seeking affordable homes and a rejuvenation of suburbs to retain the town’s character There should also be an emphasis on achieving a circular economy rather than continually adding to landfills and more people growing their own vegetables More people connecting through neighbourhood houses and taking advantage of all they offer is also important support for those impacted by family violence and a higher number of women candidates standing for council elections in October Where is your favourite place to spend time I also like growing veggies at the Geelong West Community Garden What is something people may not know about you My father was a hotel licensee and a non-drinker What do you like most about your role with the WILD committee Women in Local Democracy (WILD) is committed to achieving equity diversity and active citizenship across the region I have met enthusiastic and progressive women through WILD and hope many succeed in standing for council They will help to ensure Geelong’s council is more democratic and representative of the community it serves Is there anything else you would like to add but it is important to take time to connect with others and to try to be active We should also strive to be considerate of others we need to think outwardly and consider the plight of refugees who have fled persecution wanting to be settled in a safe country where they can contribute to society red tape and unfair policies prevent them from doing so Our close neighbours in Timor-Leste also want and deserve our ongoing friendship and support Home prices could surge almost $14,000 in some Geelong suburbs if history repeats when the Reserve Bank next cuts interest rates New analysis from Ray White shows every suburb recorded an uptick within four weeks of the past three reduction cycles excluding emergency cuts during the pandemic The figures point to premium coastal and inner ring Geelong suburbs notching the biggest boost when rates start to fall again RELATED: Where Geelong homebuyers can find an edge as affordability bites Geelong’s biggest buyers’ markets revealed Beyond your control: Dire homebuying reality goes to auction on Saturday with $950,000 to $1.045m price hopes with the holiday town’s $1.526m median house price tipped to rise by $13,712 or 0.9 per cent Torquay and Ocean Grove would see a similar percentage gains if history repeats The trend could add $10,399 to Newtown’s $1.176m median price while house prices in Geelong West could rise almost $7000 Economists of have brought forward interest rate cut predictions with many now expecting the Reserve Bank to lower the official 4.35 per cent cash rate as early as February next year Geelong director David Cortous said the Geelong market would respond well to a downward move Geelong agent David Cortous says investors are already returning suggesting Geelong’s market has hit the bottom “Obviously the impact that it’s had on our property market when they moved up has been quite substantial for regional Victoria cost of living and increased taxes under the Andrews Government all three have impacted property prices in Victoria,” Mr Cortous said “I think the only thing that would stimulate the market are interest rate cuts and I would foresee that we will see a lot more buoyant market once we get a couple of cuts “It gives people confidence and it gives people more borrowing power.” He said the return of investors and first-home buyers in Geelong in recent months signalled prices may have bottomed out “When you see that it’s another identifier of the market probably being at the bottom because you have got investors seeing value,” he said “Once any product shows value that is where people are and there’s plenty of value in the market at the moment and buyers are acting on that.” Ray White Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee thinks we’ll see a rate cut by March at the latest Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said the impact from the next rate cut could be even bigger than history dictated in some areas Ms Conisbee said Melbourne and Sydney were the most sensitive cities in the nation to rate cuts due to high house prices and would broadly see the biggest response Another key to the rate cut’s impact on home values would be in how the Reserve Bank announced it “If most people are expecting four cuts next year that will change sentiment to be far more positive,” Ms Conisbee said The economist said she believed there would be a rate cut this year or by March at the latest but that it would only be a 0.25 per cent improvement for mortgage holders could be the biggest winner if historical trends are anything to go by Geelong director Nick Lord said that would likely be enough to boost Geelong’s property market despite it traditionally taking three consecutive rate cuts or rises to change momentum given that we have had such a long wait for a decline in interest rates and people’s focus and keenness to enter the market I think will see a higher surge of buyers into the market than historically we would off one interest rate rise.” The Petrel Hotel has been part of Geelong West since 1849 A new look and menu point to an equally significant future One of the most talented youngsters in the region went down with an injury and is set for a stint on the sidelines an addition has made the undefeated Joeys even more ominous GCA2 side Geelong West celebrated its first win of the summer with one batter hitting his best score for the club A house in Geelong West has gone up in flames on Friday morning A top-five outsider has taken the biggest scalp of the GDFNL season handing a previously unbeaten side their first loss why a GFNL finals contender is looking to the future A feature of Geelong West for more than 150 years the Queen of the West Hotel has undergone a transformation