Bellbridge Boathouse

The Bellbridge Boathouse project is set to transform the current Lake Hume Boat Club into an iconic destination, and provide much needed tourism and community infrastructure.

The Bellbridge Boathouse will become synonymous with Lake Hume and feature a café, large function space, new club rooms for the Lake Hume Boat Club, and landscaped surrounds to support social interactions and event activation.

To ensure the project is investment-ready, Council secured funding in late 2022 for planning and design.

Working with Geelong based Four18 Architecture, we have a concept design for the new building that incorporates the following functional elements:

A spacious functional area.
Additional storage space of at least 40sqm, suitable for maintenance machinery and equipment.
A large social room equipped with a bar, kitchen, and outdoor space, capable of accommodating at least 100 seated guests. This area can be closed off to public access when needed.
A smaller, community meeting and boat club room that can be used independently during events.
A café, offering indoor and outdoor dining experiences, separate from the function area.
Public bathroom and toilet facilities that cater to the building's size and usage.
Tenancy space for commercial tourism operators, alongside the proposed café.
Landscaping to enhance the overall appeal of the site.

We believe this ambitious project will not only elevate Bellbridge and the Lake Hume area, but also create a vibrant hub for both locals and tourists to enjoy.

Note: The Bellbridge Boathouse is the name of the project only. An official name for the building itself will be decided with input from the community once funding for construction has been successfully secured.

In 2013, Council engaged Clarke Hopkins Clarke to create a strategic plan, "Our Bellbridge," aimed at fostering growth and prosperity in the Bellbridge area. This plan was carefully developed through extensive planning research and community engagement. Many projects from the plan, designed to enhance resident amenities and support population growth, have already been successfully implemented. However, the pivotal project for driving economic development through tourism investment, the Bellbridge Boathouse, is yet to be realised.

In early 2021, Council enlisted Urban Enterprise to develop a shire-wide Destination Management Plan. This comprehensive plan identifies the Bellbridge Boathouse as one of the top five priority investment projects crucial to developing the Shire's visitor economy.

July 2023

We've got a final concept design for the Bellbridge Boathouse!

It is the handy work of Four18 Architecture, who was awarded the contract for the Bellbridge Boathouse Design Services.

Councillors adopted the recommendation to award the contract to the Geelong-based architecture firm at the June Council Meeting. Council Officers and the Project Steering Group carefully considered all submissions and were unanimous in recommending the work of Four18 Architecture.

Four18 Architecture will now focus on developing a detailed construction design. Additionally, we're working on a business case report that explores the operation of food and beverage, retail, and outdoor recreation/tourism services at the proposed building.

By completing these essential steps, we are making the project' shovel ready', ensuring Council is well prepared for potential grant funding opportunities.

Who designed the Bellbridge Boathouse?

Four18 Architecture were awarded the contract for the design of the Bellbridge Boathouse project at the June Council Meeting.

Council in collaboration with the Project Steering Group reviewed a number of submissions for the design of Bellbridge Boathouse and were unanimous in selecting Four18 Architecture’s design as the clear standout.

Has this project been funded?

At this stage, Council has only received funding to deliver construction designs and financials operating plans for the proposed building

By delivering these, it ensures the project is shovel-ready and viable, which will increase the likehood that Council is successful in securing funding.

Are Council applying for grants to construct the project?

Council has recently applied for funding to construct the Bellbridge Boathouse through the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program. The Growing Regions Program provides grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and not-for-profit organisations, for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia. We will keep you updated on our progress with the grant application.