ONE of the region’s biggest advocates of tourism and economic enhancement has thrown its support behind the $38 million resort hotel slated to be built at Sandy Creek Golf Club by late next year.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Barossa, which is a partnership between the Australian and South Australian governments and the Gawler, Barossa, Light Regional and Adelaide Plains
councils, has been working with the club to help it realise its vision of establishing 200-room, multi-star accommodation at the course.
As reported in last week’s Bunyip, the project is being bankrolled by West Australian-based property investment developer Estilo.
RDA Barossa economic development executive Craig Grocke said the resort, which still requires development approval, will complement other new family-friendly businesses that have recently
opened in the region.
“The opportunity to have a true ‘on-course’ accommodation experience is something the club has been considering for some years, and RDA has been assisting the club to work towards this goal,” he said.
“RDA recognises the need for tourism accommodation with conference, health and wellness and meeting facilities to service both the corporate sector, but also the golf enthusiast who wants to travel with their family.
“The resort also supports Gawler, where there is a significant gap in accommodation service options to the standard that is proposed.
“Overall, this resort will be a major tourism draw card for our region, and for other golf courses such as Barossa, Tanunda Pines and Mount Pleasant to collectively offer a compelling reason for golf enthusiasts to stay the whole week in (the Barossa).
“RDA will continue to work with the club, the resort proponents and the Barossa Council to deliver a mutually acceptable and distinctive design for the precinct, and one that also services the needs of tourists to our region.”
The resort is planned to include a wedding chapel, conference rooms, a restaurant, bars, a pool and fitness centre, and potentially a helipad to fly visitors direct from Adelaide airport.
Tourism Barossa’s regional tourism manager, Cathy Wills, said these facilities would unlock “additional market segments for the Barossa”.
“This would open up a broader visitation segment, and in particular the business and corporate events market, which is largely a midweek market and requires larger scale accommodation,” she said.
“The fact that this type of development is being proposed, and the fact there are numerous new developments occurring on a regular basis within the Barossa, indicates a high level of confidence within our region, and that investors are looking here as an excellent prospect.”
