Major apartment development in Warrnambool scaled back

Late last year plans for the development on Mortlake Road next to the fire station were unveiled and included a medical centre and space for two food outlets.

Developer Mark Schneider, of Mortlake Road Pty Ltd, said the development was in response to the urgent need for housing in the city.

But it has now been scaled back from 93 apartments to 68, and the configuration and size of them has changed.

Mr Schneider said the original design had been met with a generally favourable response but there were a range of concerns from those who lived in the immediate area.

"In response to those concerns, the project has been significantly scaled back while still attempting to make a serious contribution to solving the local housing crisis," Mr Schneider said.

Seven stand-alone townhouses along the west boundary would replace the original plan for three-storey apartment blocks in an attempt to complement the existing townhouse-style housing on the adjacent site.

The three-storey apartments fronting Mortlake Road have been reduced to two-storeys to minimise the visual impact from the road.

All apartments and townhouses are now one and two bedroom, and the developer has abandoned plans for studio-style or bed-sit apartments in the project in response to concerns about density and demographic.

"Traffic and access concerns have been addressed through the inclusion of a new entrance to the traffic lights in front of the site, allowing signal controlled intersection entry for all vehicles entering the site," Mr Schneider said.

Despite the changes to the apartments, there has been no major changes to the other facilities included in the development

Those plans include a medical centre for one practitioner, a 36-seat food outlet which would be open from 8am to 5pm, as well as a takeaway venue which would operate from 11am to 8pm.

The development will also include a children's playground, grassed village square and an enclosed community produce garden.

A community hub with a meeting room and consulting suites will be available for visiting professionals such as financial advisors, occupational therapists or beauticians

The plans are yet to be approved by Warrnambool City Council.

Read more:

93-apartment village complex unveiled

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