A significant milestone has been reached for one of Geelong's most important heritage properties, with community groups and council uniting behind a plan to transform the historic Osborne House into a luxury boutique hotel.
Community Backs Heritage Redevelopment
The Osborne Park Association, which has campaigned for more than three decades to keep the North Geelong mansion in public hands, has endorsed Geelong Council's unanimous decision to proceed with a public-private partnership. The agreement involves luxury developer Tim Gurner and Montgomery Property, who will reinstate and reimagine the heritage-listed 1857 property.
Under the arrangement, the consortium will sign a 50-year peppercorn lease with the council, ensuring the Swinburne Street property remains in public ownership while receiving a new lease on life.
Three Decades of Community Advocacy
Osborne Park Association president Cheryl Scott expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting members had worked tirelessly for over 30 years with successive councils to achieve a result that respects the property's history and heritage values.
"The community as represented for 27 years by the Osborne Park Association will also continue to offer the intellectual capital of our members in our advocacy for its future use," Ms Scott said.
The council has committed $8 million toward the heritage restoration of the mansion, which will be guided by a conservation management plan. Community input will be sought through council's Have Your Say portal as the project progresses.
Luxury Transformation Plans
The redevelopment will convert Osborne House into an upscale destination featuring:
- 10 heritage hotel suites and 40 luxury eco stays
- A waterfront restaurant and lounge bar
- Conference and events centre with space for a large marquee overlooking the water
- Health and wellness zone in the historic stables
The property has served multiple purposes throughout its history, including as a private home, country house for the Governor of Victoria, officer training college, military hospital, and First World War submarine base for the Royal Australian Navy. It later functioned as a Second World War army training centre and offices for the former Shire of Corio until 1993.
Gurner and Montgomery will collaborate with architects Lovell Chen, Cera Stribley and landscape architects TCL on the project. The developers still need to obtain a planning permit and approval from Heritage Victoria before work can commence.
Ms Scott described the proposal as "only the start of a process" and thanked councillors, CEO Ali Wastie and council officers for their willingness to progress the development while ensuring the community-owned endowment property remains protected for future generations.
