Listed: 10 massive tourism, hospitality and renewables projects rebuilding the economy in SA’s regions
Major hotel developments, new tourist drawcards and giant solar farms are among billions of dollars worth of projects planned in our regions. Here are 10 of the biggest.
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Major accommodation, tourism, renewable energy and industrial projects are planned across the state’s regions to help SA battle its way through the pandemic.
Proponents and community leaders hope the billions of dollars worth of private projects on our books will boost regional economies and create jobs when we need it most.
Huge wind and solar projects across the state’s Upper Spencer Gulf, Mid North, Riverland and Mid Murray will create construction work for hundreds, while tourism and accommodation drawcards are poised to provide a variety of long-term roles.
The projects include a $50m hotel at Seppeltsfield and $6m cultural and education centre at Chateau Tanunda.
Here are 10 of the biggest projects.
WYNDHAM HOTEL, VICTOR HARBOR, $50M
The size of a planned six-storey development next to the Anchorage Hotel overlooking Victor Harbor has actually increased since the pandemic took hold.
Landowner Greg Phillips said another $10m had been added to the development’s price tag, along with another 28 rooms and extra apartments, after his company Phillips Land Co bought a neighbouring property to expand the development’s footprint.
The hotel, to be managed by Wyndham Group, will now feature 150 rooms and 12 apartments.
Victor Harbor Council approved the four-and-a-half star hotel project last year, but changes to its planning and building approval are now needed to take into account the extra rooms and apartments.
Mr Phillips hopes that work will start in the second half of next year, with COVID-19 not dampening hopes of a strong tourism market.
“Because there’s no other competition down there, they don’t see any issues with the demand going forward,” he said of the international hotel group.
BIRD IN HAND EXPANSION, WOODSIDE, $30M
The Adelaide Hills winery’s major development includes a 40-seat restaurant, art gallery, increased cellar door space, underground cellars, tasting rooms, landscaped gardens and workers’ accommodation.
Bird in Hand has previously said the upgrade will create as many as 50 long-term jobs for the local community, mostly in hospitality roles including work for chefs, waiting staff and cellar and bar staff.
The company estimated it would draw up to 400 extra visitors to the region every day and about 60 people would work on the project during construction.
KANGAROO ISLAND PLANTATION TIMBERS SEAPORT, SMITH BAY, $40M
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers’ Smith Bay seaport proposal has been the subject of much controversy in the region.
KIPT wants to build the $40m wharf next to Yumbah aquaculture’s abalone farm on the north coast of the island.
While the idea has drawn the ire of Yumbah, the council, and some business and environmental groups, its proponents say the work will create a much-needed jobs and economic boost from the region.
The island has suffered an extremely difficult year, struggling through summer’s devastating bushfires, only to have tourism face a virtual standstill at the height of social distancing restrictions.
The project – under State Government assessment – would allow the business to export its timber from the island, and it argues it would create more than 250 jobs and add about $50 million to the economy each year.
A State Government spokeswoman said it had requested further information on traffic and road network issues, marine pest management, the proposed site layout and marine infrastructure. The State Planning Commission will assess the project, before deciding whether to recommend Planning and Local Government Minister Vickie Chapman approves it.
GOYDER SOUTH RENEWABLES PROJECT, BURRA, $3BN
Renewables giant Neoen’s $3bn wind and solar farm development planned for the Mid North, near Burra, will feature 163 240m-high turbines and 3000ha of solar panels.
It will also have a huge lithium-ion battery with a capacity six times the size of the world’s biggest battery at Hornsdale, near Jamestown.
The overall project is expected to create more than 100 permanent jobs and 1000 direct and indirect roles during construction, which would take 5-6 years.
The project would span the Worlds End Valley, with turbines on its western and eastern ridge lines, and extending south towards Robertstown.
In its submission to the planning panel, the company said it would contribute up to $600,000 a year to a community benefits scheme during the project’s lifespan – expected to be 25-30 years.
Neoen Australia’s head of development Garth Heron said the project would be built over three stages, with work to start on the first soon after approval was granted, and the next two stages due once the SA-NSW interconnector was built.
SEPPELTSFIELD LUXURY HOTEL, SEPPELTSFIELD, BAROSSA VALLEY, $50M
The business is planning a six-star, 12-storey luxury hotel with a day spa, in a bid to become one of the world’s top five wineries.
Project proponents have lodged a development application for “The Oscar” with Light Council and hope to start work on it next year.
It is hoped the accommodation will drive growth in the domestic and international visitor economies, while creating 363 construction jobs and 350 ongoing jobs once it is complete.
Project spokesman Toby Yap said the Barossa needed an “iconic luxury hotel” and was in talks with potential operators.
“We are extremely confident in the demand for tourism in the Barossa for now and the future,” he said.
BICKFORD’S GROUP DISTILLERY PLANS FOR KINGSCOTE, COST TBA
The SA-based company, famous for its cordials but also, more recently moving into the spirits space, is planning a new microbrewery and distillery at Kingscote's old police station and cells.
Managing director Angelo Kotses said details and time frames for the project are still being finalised.
“We’re looking forward to having a chat with government on tourism and accommodation and general confidence about further investment in that space,” he said.
Bickford’s Group last year closed a deal with the State Government to buy a 4800sq/m site for the project.
When concept designs were first drawn up, the business estimated the project would cost about $3 million – including the land sale price – but that cost may rise under any changes to designs.
Bickford’s originally planned to turn the police station into a visitor centre and build a separate distillery, but Mr Kotses has said the business would also consider combining the operations under one roof.
CHATEAU TANUNDA CULTURAL EDUCATION CENTRE, TANUNDA, BAROSSA VALLEY, $6M
A $6m cultural education centre will feature 48 rooms, built into the property’s existing Bond Stores.
“Even though we are calling it a cultural and educational centre it actually doubles as a good quality hotel very much like Citizen M properties in Europe,” owner John Geber says.
He expects about 30 people to find work on the project during construction, and about 20-30 more ongoing jobs once the project is complete. The business still needs to gain heritage and planning approvals for the project, and hopes to have the project complete within about two years.
Mr Geber said the Barossa Valley needed a centrally-based hotel, and the chateau’s position “is perfect”.
“Our feasibility has a 70 per cent foreign group who would stay for a full week as they do their cultural education – food and wine courses. The multiple effects on this is quite enormous for the main street.”
“When it is being used as the hotel I suspect it’ll be young people and couples who will come down to the Barossa for a four or five day trip.”
Mr Geber had previously flagged plans for a $31m development, including a five-star hotel with 100-120 rooms over up to three storeys.
However, the hotel project is now expected to happen in three or four years.
GOOLWA WHARF UPGRADE, FLEURIEU PENINSULA, $7.5M
A $7.5m upgrade of the Goolwa wharf precinct is underway, and will feature more food offerings and an interpretative and visitor centre.
There will also be upgrades to the Signal Point Regional Art and Cultural Centre, an open air function space, new paths, carparking upgrades and better access for touring vehicles.
The Goolwa Wharf Shed, built in 1879 and rebuilt 1914, is also in line for an upgrade. It houses the 90 Mile Wines: Wharf Barrel Shed and the River Boat Centre.
The Federal Government has pitched in $3.75m for the project, and the State Government $1.25m, with Alexandrina Council contributing the rest of the money.
The works are expected to create 15 jobs in the construction sector, and 41 ongoing jobs.
Alexandrina chief executive Glenn Rappensberg said the work would turn the precinct into a must-visit “hero destination” for local, interstate and international visitors.
LINCOLN GAP WIND FARM, $1BN
The first stage of the Upper Spencer Gulf wind farm is complete, its second stage will be finished by the end of next year, and the third part of the project will begin in September 2022.
Nexif Energy is leading the project, southwest of Port Augusta, which includes 59 180m tall turbines already approved in its first two stages and another 42 under State Government assessment. Those would reach between 185m and 206m tall.
About 110 people will work on the project’s second stage, and 120-140 people would be needed for the stage 3 construction.
WHYALLA STEELWORKS UPGRADE, UPPER SPENCER GULF, $1BN+
UK industrialist Sanjeev Gupta in June unveiled expansion plans for the rejuvenation of the Whyalla steelworks, costing more than $1bn.
GFG Alliance’s plans featured a “direct reduced iron facility” to produce iron from gas and later hydrogen at Whyalla, as well as an electric arc furnace to replace the existing blast furnace. These will sit alongside a $600m steel rolling mill.
The projects have been set out as key to GFG Alliance’s plan to produce carbon-neutral steel by 2030.
The company says “significant progress” on the upgrade is expected within the next 12 months, with about 600 people working on the project during construction.
Mr Gupta is in negotiations with the State Government over a $50 million funding package promised by the previous government.
Meantime, about 800 people will find work on the $530m Cultana solar farm near Whyalla, and a $130m grid-scale Playford Battery, near Port Augusta, under a new power supply deal with the State Government.
The projects will cost a combined $660m, with work due to begin before the end of the year.
Both projects will be delivered in partnership with SIMEC Energy Australia, owned by GFG Alliance.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au
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