Light Regional Council says the categorisation of the Oscar at Seppeltsfield is the right one
A contentious $50 million luxury hotel development at Seppeltsfield was categorised correctly, Light Regional Council says, despite strong backlash from residents.
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Light Regional Council says the hotly debated Oscar at Seppeltsfield has been correctly classed as a category two development.
Residents have argued the planned $50 million, 12-storey luxury hotel should have been labelled a category three development, which would have allowed broader community consultation.
However Light Mayor Bill O’Brien said the categorisation was the correct decision as the Oscar will be for tourist accommodation.
“Where most of the confusion was is that it went in as a category two, which means only the adjoining neighbours need to be consulted under public consultation process,” Mr O’Brien said.
“That’s because, under council’s development plan, it’s tourist accommodation, that’s why it provides for category two.
“People are taking it on headfirst without knowing all the facts and both sides of the story.”
Mr O’Brien also said he has concerns that a lot of the noise coming from those against the development are of the older demographic.
“One thing I’ve found, I’m concerned we’re not hearing from the young people,” he said.
“I’d like to hear from them, because really, they’re the ones who are going to live with it.
“I’m not seeing too many comments, if any, from the younger brigade and I’m sure they’d have an opinion.
“Some of the brigade who are anti it all, might get a bit of a shock (from the young kids).”
The categorisation is still before the Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Court, before the development will go before the council’s independent assessment panel.
Nearby residents including Tracy Collins, who has started a Facebook group called ‘Taming Oscar’, have opposed the proposed design of the building.
Ms Collins said earlier this month said the group believed the development does not fit the “Barossa culture”.
“It is purely the design," she said.
“When you look at the culture of the heritage of the Barossa, and when they think of the Barossa, that design doesn’t fit in with what we believe is the Barossa culture.
“If this goes ahead, that beautiful, iconic view of Seppeltsfield will be forever changed.
“That is one of the iconic views when people think of the Barossa Valley.”