Architect for Apollo Bay Redevelopment Revealed

Architects have been chosen for a key harbour redevelopment along Victoria’s stretch of the Great Ocean Road. 

The Great Ocean Road Coasts and Parks Authority has announced Antarctica Architects as the head consultant for the Apollo Bay Harbour redevelopment.

The practice will now develop a precinct plan for the project at Apollo Bay, about 200km south-west of Melbourne.

A new promenade, commercial space extending the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Cooperative building, relocating the Port Operations Depot, and improving pedestrian and transport networks within the precinct are included in the proposal.

The Federal Government has provided $12.61 million in funding for the project through the $500-million Geelong City Deal,

The redevelopment was initially handled by the Colac Otway Shire Council utilising that funding before the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks  Authority took over. 

In 2023, the Federal Government transferred the remaining $10.9 million for the project to the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority for it to continue working on the project. 

▲ The redevelopment of Apollo Bay Harbour will cost $12.61 million and be funded through the Geelong City Deal.

The Geelong City Deal is a collaboration between the Victorian, Federal and local governments as well as partners to develop Geelong and the Great Ocean Road. 

Previous projects by Antarctica Architects include the Salvation Army’s Dandenong Hub and the award-winning Boronggook Drysdale Library.

The appointment comes after an independent review of the Apollo Bay Harbour Development Plan (2020) which found that design changes were needed so features could be delivered within the current planning and environmental controls. 

A community reference group is to be set up this month.

Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority acting chief executive Cath Olive said the architects would work with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Cooperation and the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Cooperative to create the precinct plan and architectural designs for the harbour. 

“Thecommunity reference group will help to inform the draft precinct plan, with the wider community then invited to provide input into it,” Olive said.

“We want to create quality commercial, tourism and recreation opportunities in the precinct, in line with planning and environmental controls.”

Federal regional development minister Kristy McBain said the redevelopment project would increase tourism in the region and help the local economy. 

“Apollo Bay is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Victoria, which is why we want to capitalise on everything that it has to offer,” McBain said.

“(The project) will unlock new job opportunities for locals, stimulate the Apollo Bay economy, and entice more people from Australia and across the world to experience this beautiful part of regional Victoria.”

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority has two other projects to deliver as part of the Geelong City Deal—the Point Grey Redevelopment Project at Lorne, and work to improve tourism infrastructure at Kennett River.

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