Tourism boost for Kangaroo Island as $22 million American River hotel passes planning commission

A VAST Kangaroo Island tourist resort that will overlook the Great Australian Bight and create 280 ongoing jobs has been given the green light by the state’s planning panel.

An artist’s impression of one part of the American River resort that was recently given planning approval. Picture: Supplied.

A VAST Kangaroo Island tourist resort that will overlook the Great Australian Bight and create 280 ongoing jobs has been given the green light by the state’s planning panel.

City and Central Consulting’s American River resort was approved on the proviso that building works commence by January 2019 and be completed by January 2022.

The $22 million development cost comes on top of the acquisition of 32ha of land.

The resort’s 323 rooms will be spread across a four-storey hotel, 10 seven-storey accommodation lodges, 20 cottages and 20 cabins.

Facilities include a conference facility for 400 people, restaurant and bar, a cooking school and kitchen garden, and a 2km pedestrian loop.

It’s not yet clear whether the resort — situated on the western shore of the island’s eastern cove and around a 30 minute drive from SeaLink’s Penneshaw ferry terminal — will be classified as a four or five star destination.

Given major project status by the State Government in August 2015, the resort is expected to create 280 jobs in roles such as hotel management, catering, housekeeping, and event management.

Up to 100 jobs will also be created during each construction stage — the first of three will include the hotel, a wine lodge, and some cabins.

Kangaroo Island Commissioner Wendy Campana.

Kangaroo Island Commissioner Wendy Campana said the resort will add to the high end accommodation offerings already available.

“City and Central Consulting has developed an excellent accommodation product and I look

forward to engaging with them as they roll out the project,” she said.

CCC, which developed the five-star Grand West Sands Resort and Villas in Phuket, Thailand, is based in Vale Park and headed by Paul Mercer. According to ASIC documents, its shareholders include a Hong Kong-based construction company.

Planning Minister John Rau said the development will attract tourists from around the world.

“In just a few years, Kangaroo Island is set to have an upgraded airport and a more diverse range of tourism experiences, as we have unlocked the potential that we know has always existed,” he said.

According to official statistics, Kangaroo Island had 132,000 visitors in the 12 months to September 2016, 42,000 of whom were foreign tourists.

Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the State Government is in ongoing discussions with Qantas about the airline flying direct to Kangaroo Island.

“This development and others will help us push our case. Having the Flying Kangaroo flying to Kangaroo Island would be a game-changer for visitors and locals,” he said.

The American River resort formed part of the KI Economic Development Outlook that was launched in June last year. It detailed a pipeline of projects over the next five years, collectively valued at $170 million.

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