The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Page 1

Vol. No. Vol. 2318No. 15 27

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Peaks resort BY SARAH MATTHEWS

D

evelopers are refining plans for a multi-million-dollar boutique resort designed to capitalise on the northern end of the Grampians Peaks Trail.

Owners of Laharum-based Australian Wildflowers have been working on the accommodation project, which includes a $5-million first stage, for more than a year. They plan to build the resort on their property abutting the trail head at Mt Zero. Grampians Peaks Trail project leaders estimate the $30-million, 160-kilometre asset – scheduled to be completed this summer – will generate 86,000 visitor nights in the region while boosting the economy by $6.4-million a year. Australian Wildflowers owner and managing director Jo Gardner said she and her business partners came up with a resort concept after lamenting a lack of accommodation options at the northern end of the park. “We have visitors come to the farm anyway and thought maybe we should scope out the idea of creating a resort that supports the peaks trail,” she said. Ms Gardner engaged award-winning Adelaide-based Troppo Architects to work on a draft plan. She said the company specialised in environmentally sustainable development and was experienced in designing projects appropriate for national parks. “Everything has been designed to have minimal impact on the environment,” she said. “Our plans are eco-friendly and the idea is for the resort to be solar sufficient and use recycled water. “If you’re up on the mountain it will be virtually hidden. We plan to use the

same materials they are using on the peaks trail, so lots of stone, timber and rusted steel. “The idea is to minimise the impact visibly across the landscape.” Ms Gardner plans to hand over resort operations to experienced eco-tourism operators and is keen to hear from interested parties. She said should the resort come to fruition, it would provide a great economic boost for the region. “Troppo Architects has done a lot of work with The Oscar Group in Horsham,” she said. “Oscar Building would do our build as well and we would use other local contractors.” Once built, the resort would also generate ongoing jobs in the region. “We’re still looking at employment numbers, which will be dependent on the scale of the project,” Ms Gardner said. “At the moment we are still in the concept stage and are playing around with different ideas, including accommodation options such as two-storey treehouses and camping. “There is also scope for other activities such as a day spa or somewhere for people to buy camping gear or hire a mountain bike.” Ms Gardner said early draft plans also included a cafe-restaurant pavilion, which would feature several function spaces and cater for both guests and the wider community. “We want to bring the community into it, from dropping in for a beer on a Friday night to hosting weddings or other events,” she said. “We want to create an inclusive environment for the wider community, not an isolating thing.” Continued page 7

Wednesday, 2016 Wednesday,January October13, 7, 2020

‘GALLERY’ EXPANDING: Landscape-scale western Victorian artist Geoffrey Carran provides a sneak peek into the evolution of his bird-inspired mural on a grain silo at Goroke. West Wimmera Shire is joining the region’s Silo Art Trail, with major silo projects underway at Goroke and Kaniva. Melbourne artist David Lee Pereira is another artist busy at work, having the job at Kaniva. Story, page 18. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

ININ THIS ISSUE • Workforce wanted • Candidates announce how-to-vote• tickets • Horsham golf pro THIS ISSUE • Bypass on agenda • Council candidates New cricket leaders Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

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Book your site now

(enter from Natimuk Road, Park Drive, plaza side lane will be closed)

Sunday, November 22 10am to 1pm For site bookings call Horsham Plaza centre management office on 5382 0912 or email manager@horshamplaza.com.au

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KMART BEST AND LESS SPOTLIGHT REJECT SHOP WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALTY STORES WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU


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