A major $30.8 million makeover for the Ritz Hotel has been given the final approval by The Andrews Labor Government.
Richard Wynne, Minister for Planning announced today that the planning has been approved for the development of the historic Ritz Hotel.
The development will transform one of Geelong’s most iconic buildings from a state of disrepair into a luxury short stay option for visitors to the thriving city with 110 apartments included.
Throughout the project’s construction, 95 jobs will be created with a further 25 jobs becoming available once complete.
“This project ticks all the boxes. It’s going to create jobs for Geelong locals, boost housing supply, encourage tourism and add to the city’s stunning waterfront,” said Minister for Planning Richard Wynne.
The project is supported by both the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Authority with rigorous assessment against heritage requirements being carried out in accordance with the Labor Government’s Better Apartments Design Standards. This is to ensure all apartments are built with enough light, storage, ventilation and room for people to live comfortably.
“This approval has been carefully considered to ensure we respect and retain the history of one of Geelong’s oldest sites, and give it a safe and secure future too,” said Wynne.
The Ritz Hotel, also known as the Belle Vue, was built back in 1853 and served as a boarding house, a guest house and a hotel well into the 20th century. The building has sat unused and fallen into disrepair since the 1990s.
Through this project, the Labor Government is hoping the Geelong regional centre becomes a hive for productivity and jobs and a leading destination for tourism.
“We want Geelong to retain its status as a thriving regional centre where businesses want to invest and people from right around the world want to visit,” said Member for Geelong, Christie Couzens.
“We’re getting things done in Geelong. We’ve got cranes in the sky and shovels in the ground, and that means local jobs and a stronger economy.”
To achieve this, the government is encouraging more housing and infrastructure with a streamlined process for all major projects where they are sent directly to the Minister.
The Ritz Hotel project will be the latest major project for the Geelong area approved by the Labor Government.
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Source: Victoria Government.
