Locking up gaol plans
A CROWDED market is in the running to buy the old Geelong Gaol after expressions of interest for the Myers St complex closed this week.
Colliers International Geelong agent Andrew Lewis said about 30 groups made inquiries during the first stage of the campaign to sell the bluestone prison, built in 1864.
Mr Lewis said tenders for the gaol were about double agents’ initial expectations.
“It wasn’t a surprise. I knew we had six to 10 interested parties and we probably got 10 serious (buyers) on top of that,” he said. “So it’s probably twice what we might have thought.”
The level of interest augurs well for Geelong council’s chances of maximising the sale price, though the two-stage sale process is designed to ensure the best outcome for the site’s future.
Inquiries had come from local buyers, private and notfor-profit entities, corporations and developers, a number of which had made tenders, Mr Lewis said
“We’re viewing those tenders with the council and we will be responding to the tenders some time next week,” he said.
“There has definitely been good, strong interest from a diverse range of parties.”
Mr Lewis said the sale process hadn’t unearthed a clear future use for the site, although property developers and hospitality operators had previously shown interest in the gaol.
The agents and council would review short-listed pro- posals next month with an aim to conclude a sale in February, Mr Lewis said.
A price guide hasn’t been revealed for the 9423sqm property with a potential development area of 3993sqm.
Selling the gaol would eliminate a significant liability on the council’s finance books, with a previous estimate for the maintenance backlog of at least $1.56 million.
The gaol closed in 1991 and was sold to Geelong’s council through a $360,000 interestfree State Government loan. LUCY, 4, of Belmont (above), got into the Christmas spirit with a ride aboard a reindeer in Geelong yesterday.
Families are invited to visit Santa’s Reindeer Training Academy, at 111 Little Malop St, where a herd of mechanical ride-on reindeers can be found to suit all ages.
The attraction, part of the Central Geelong Christmas Trail, is one of more than 28 activities on offer this month.
The reindeer rides operate Monday-Thursday, 10am2pm, and Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, until December 23.
See details of the trail at centralgeelong.com.au.