First published 21 Oct 2026, 5:00am
An artist’s impression of a potential mixed-use development that could be built on vacant land at 71 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads.
The Uniting Church is selling off land behind its Barwon Heads church amid big plans for the site’s next chapter.
A fresh subdivision has created a vacant 1395sq m battleaxe block at 71 Hitchcock Ave , directly behind the heritage-listed weatherboard church.
The church stands to pocket $3m to $3.3m from the sale, which comes as it embarks on a restoration works and construction of a new community and event space.
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C+M Build Group has already started work on the project in the heart of the Barwon Heads village.
Fletchers, Bellarine listing agent Elissa Holloway said the Uniting Church’s decision to subdivide was part of a wider vision for the site and created a rare opportunity for a new development at the rear.
She said the versatility of the subdivided block’s mixed use zoning was the key to sale.
“It can be whatever someone would like to it be. It could be a landmark private residence or a boutique development, it could even be a destination commercial concept,” Ms Holloway said.
“The church are very supportive of whatever is going to come in there. They are not opposed to anything and would like someone else to come in and make something special of what’s there.
The battle-axe site, accessed via a sandstone-lined driveway, is just moments from shops and restaurants.
“I think it is a rare for a parcel of that scale, in a tightly held Hitchcock Ave address to come available. It’s got the flexibility and prestige and we would like to see something of lasting quality go up there.”
The Uniting Church has sold off a number of former church buildings across the region in recent years.
But Ms Holloway said it was investing in making Barwon Heads a hub for the area, with the addition of a modern space that community members could book out for arts or music.
“The proceeds of the land sale, the subdivision at the back, is 100 per cent going back to the local congregation, that tends to be what a lot of church sites are doing,” she said.
“I think they are obviously just trying to move with the times and make better use of what they’ve got.”
Construction has started on the new community space beside the Barwon Heads Uniting Church.
She said the land sale coincided with a fresh chapter for Hitchcock Ave as new hospitality venues arrived in the strip.
Last One Inn, Mulline Vintners and Love House are among businesses planning to open there before the summer holidays.
“I feel like it’s bringing a bit of renewed energy to the village and we hope that this opportunity is part of that new story,” Ms Holloway said.
Expressions of interest close on December 10.
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