Marshall St, Newtown
Builder: Manresa Constructions
Architect: i2C Architects
Investment partners: Housing Australia and Homes Victoria
About the development
Unison Housing is undertaking a substantial urban renewal project at Marshall Street, Newtown. The development, approved by the Minister for Planning in December 2023, will transform 22 outdated single-storey units into 77 brand-new self-contained apartments.
The development is social housing, with several units prioritised for women and children escaping domestic violence. These homes have been designed to enhance the safety, wellbeing, and long-term sustainability for renters in the City of Greater Geelong.
This project was made possible through Unison Housing’s successful application in Round 1 of the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF), and is also supported by a capital grant from Homes Victoria as part of the State Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build.
Project update
Unison appointed Manresa Constructions as the project builder, following an extensive planning and consultation process. The demolition of the original single-storey units, which were no longer fit for purpose, has been completed, and construction is now underway.
Timeline:
- Development started: 2025
- Expected completion: Early 2027
Property features
77 homes
49x 1-bedroom units
16 x 2-bedroom units
12x 3-bedroom units
54x car spaces
Sustainability Outcomes of Marshall St
Unison is an early adopter of SIGMAH, a tool developed by Swinburne University and Australian Community Housing to measure the social, economic, and environmental benefits of community housing.
Last year, SIGMAH was used to estimate the value of Unison’s Marshall Street development based on inputs around dwelling design, renter services, intended renter mix, and environmental and local amenity features. Estimations showed that Marshall Street is expected to deliver over $16 million of benefits over the next 40 years.
As the development nears completion and occupancy, refinements may slightly shift these projected insights. Nevertheless, this early analysis provides a valuable snapshot of Marshall Street’s future community and economic impact.
Development Impact
The combined public and private benefits of the development have been projected across a 40-year period. Public benefits include reduced demand on health, justice, and homelessness services; private benefits include improved education, employment and health outcomes; and an uplift in renter wellbeing is expected from greater security, reduced stress, and access to local amenities.
delivered in benefits annually
delivered in benefits over 40 yrs
Cost-of-Living Relief
Marshall Street delivers significant financial relief for renters, helping households achieve greater stability and resilience. Lower rents compared to private market equivalents, combined with reduced energy bills through efficient design, mean households will experience increased financial security. Renters benefit from lower living costs through reduced rent and energy expenses, contributing to greater financial stability and long-term wellbeing.
Renter savings per apartment annually
Including rent, compared to market rent, and energy costs
Renter savings across all dwellings annually
Including rent, compared to market rent, and energy costs
Renter savings over 40 yrs
Including rent, compared to market rent, and energy costs
Environment & Amenity Benefits
The project achieved a lower embodied carbon footprint through design and materials, while landscaping enhanced biodiversity and contributed to urban cooling. Marshall Street demonstrates that affordable housing delivers long-term social, economic, and environmental value. This project is a blueprint for building smarter, greener, and more inclusive communities.
Social value over 40 yrs
From CO₂ reductions
Green space
Delivering cooling and amenity benefits
Savings annually
On energy bills due to energy saving design features
NatHERS Rating
For energy efficiency
Green Star Rating
For environmental performance
Building redevelopment
The redevelopment will deliver high-quality, environmentally sustainable housing designed to support long-term wellbeing and safety. A range of housing types will be delivered to meet diverse community needs.
Existing renters have been supported throughout the redevelopment and offered the first choice to return to the new homes upon completion in 2027.
Community consultation
Unison worked with an independent community engagement specialist to develop and deliver a Strategic Engagement Plan for this project.
The engagement program included:
- Online and in-person community consultation
- Stakeholder workshops
- Data collection and analysis
- A formal Consultation Report prepared for the State Government
The consultation process ran from May 2022 to October 2023, with a detailed program between April and October 2023.
Development funding
This $48.59 million project is supported by:
- Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) — a Federal Government initiative to deliver 30,000 new social homes and 10,000 affordable homes over five years.
- Homes Victoria — through the State Government’s Big Housing Build.
Together, these investments are helping meet the growing demand for social housing in the Geelong region.
Building design
The Marshall Street redevelopment has been designed with long-term livability, inclusion, and environmental sustainability in mind. Key features include:
- Tenancy support office
- Onsite basement carparking
- Secure on-site bicycle parking & bike shed
- Communal garden, BBQ area, and nature play space
- 2 disability modified units designed with accessibility in mind
- All-electric apartments
- Rooftop solar panels to reduce building operating costs
- Designed in line with Housing Design Guidelines
- Gold-level Livable Housing Design.
Want to discuss a project?
To discuss a development project with our team, don’t hesitate to contact Unison CEO James King on 03 9349 0250.
