Resort building momentum

BY JESSICA GRIMBLE

Building of a luxury resort in the northern Grampians could begin within months.

Developers of the $26.2-million Mount Zero Resort project are awaiting Environment Protection Authority approval and confirming building contractors before the build can start.

Australian Wildflowers managing director Jo Gardner said the project had secured funds required for the stage-one build – including a State Government investment of $8.5-million, debtor funding and private equity.

The resort will feature 40 luxury accommodation villas, a restaurant and a café along with a spa and wellness facility, plunge pool, a function centre and landscaped gardens.

It will be on Australian Wildflowers property abutting the Grampians Peaks Trail head and Grampians National Park at Mount Zero.

Ms Gardner said the build could start as soon as mid-year.

Weather watch

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“We see an increased chance of drought and bushfire risk, while also seeing more frosts as we have less cloud cover in drier years, which leads to colder night-time temperatures,” Mr Brennan said.

“People tend to be less conservative of their water consumption when we have high security for several years.

“Communities and industries are more confident when there is water around and when people feel that confidence, their behaviour differs.

“We see the full spectrum of droughts to floods and sometimes we hit a sweet spot and people act accordingly.”

Mr Brennan said it was difficult to predict the outlook for the entire year, but there was always a lot of interest during autumn as the agriculture sector planned cropping season.

“There’s some pressure for a bit of a crystal ball when farmers are planning crops and inputs as they determine how long they wait for a traditional autumn break,” he said.

“While indicators are that we could be moving from La Niña into El Niño, there are always anomalies and localised differences. We only saw three really wet months last year, compared with NSW and Queensland which experienced three really wet years.

“The environment and weather are always changing and complex so we use outlooks to best manage our water and focus on our resources for the environment when and where we need them.”