A historically significant Portarlington church would be moved and turned into a cafe according to planning documents lodged with the City of Greater Geelong.
The St Patrick’s Catholic Hall at Harding Street will be shifted and rotated to a more prominent corner location to “celebrate the heritage of the site”, documents said.
The current St Patrick’s Catholic Hall was built in 1942 and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database as being of “historic and social significance to the local Portarlington community”.
The building became a hall when a new church building was built in 1966.
The building is proposed to be refurbished and reused as a cafe.
The location will also be used to build a three-storey complex comprising 29 apartments.
The $10.5 million project will have two levels of underground car parking spaces.
Four one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments would be built. There will also be a bakery.
Developers say the residential complex is “needed in this location, given the dominant existing dwelling type being predominantly detached single dwellings”.
“The proposed venues will provide a vibrant hospitality business for use by future residents, as well as the wider Portarlington community,” documents said.
“Additionally the proposed commercial uses will provide valuable employment opportunities within the township.
“The proposed development will contribute positively to the streetscape and activate the corner of Harding St and Fenwick St.”
The planning application is open for public comment until March 31.
