Village plans unveiled

RYMAN Healthcare is planning a second retirement village in the Geelong region after securing a site in Ocean Grove.

The aged care operator already has a $100 million proposal for a retirement village in Highton capable of hosting several hundred residents.

However, more than 60 objections have been lodged against the proposal, leading the City of Greater Geelong council to consider it at a planning committee meeting on December 18.

Ryman Healthcare is now also planning on building a retirement village at 181-189 Shell Rd, Ocean Grove.

The $100 million development will create a resort-style village, which will eventually be home to more than 300 residents.

Ryman Healthcare chief development officer Andrew Mitchell said the 3.7ha site already had development approval for a retirement village.

“It’s a bonus to be able to buy a site with existing approval, but we will be consulting with the community about our plans before we go to Geelong council for approval,” Mr Mitchell said.

The Ocean Grove village will include an aged care centre with 120 beds, including 40 dementia beds.

It will also include an indoor pool, hair and beauty salons, a bowling green, a cafe and movie theatre.

Ryman Healthcare chief sales and marketing officer Debbie McClure said they named their villages after local people and were asking for suggestions from local residents.

“There’s nothing like a bit of local knowledge and we’ve found over the years that the best suggestions come from the people who know the place well,” Ms McClure said.