Projects set to shape the Barossa including Oscar Seppeltsfield hotel, $15m Nuriootpa servo
From a controversial $50m luxury hotel to a mammoth $15m servo – these are the big projects across the Barossa Valley which are set to shape the region.
Barossa, Clare & Gawler
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It is a region renowned for its fantastic produce, landscapes and rich history but the future of the Barossa Valley is set to be shaped by a range of developments.
From a mammoth $15m servo to a controversial $50m luxury hotel, these are the projects to take the fast-developing region to its next stage.
At different stages of planning, construction or approval, we’ve uncovered seven of the most notable.
OSCAR LUXURY HOTEL, SEPPELTSFIELD – $50M
Developers have labelled it “iconic” while some local residents say it does not fit the “Barossa culture”.
The $50m plan to build a six-star luxury hotel in the heart of one of the Barossa Valley’s most scenic locations has been met with controversy since its inception.
Seppeltsfield Wines’ planned 12-storey Oscar development could create hundreds of jobs and entice tourists from around the world to the Barossa.
Progress on the development has stalled however,
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.”
BAROSSA CREATIVE INDUSTRIES CENTRE – $10.7M
The $10.7m dollar Barossa Creative Industries Centre is a project set to galvanise and promote local arts and culture.
Planed for Tanunda, the development incorporates a heritage centre, recording production and green room, art studio and workshop, foyer and bar together with a centralised courtyard, outdoor performance areas and a car park.
The impact on the creative industries this development would have is huge, providing a meeting space and the facilities to carry out work in a collaborative state of the art environment.
The proposal gained development approval last month.
Barossa Council will now seek State and Federal Government funding.
Mayor Bim Lange said last month the hub and “the community activation it would provide” would create 400 jobs.
It is part of the council’s Big Project – blueprint for investment in recreation, culture and social infrastructure over 35 years with each project requiring a successful grant application to come to fruition.
Some parts of the scheme have already been completed, such as the Tanunda Recreation Park upgrades.
THE STURT HIGHWAY SUPER SERVO – $15M
A major development set to shape not only the Barossa, but the experience of travelling through or past it, is the new $15m service station coming to Nuriootpa.
The development – set for the corner of Belvidere Road and the Sturt Highway – was granted development approval by the Barossa Council in January and will begin construction in April.
The facilities set to be included are impressive, including an X Convenience petrol station, KFC, McDonald’s, car, truck and dog wash, camper van dump point, an electric vehicle charging station and a picnic area.
Pitched as the first of its kind in SA, the station is set to provide similar facilities and opportunities for motorists to relax as interstate examples of the “super servo”.
Access Planning director David Hutchison expected the complex to be completed by the end of the year and said it would create hundreds of jobs and provide the Barossa Valley with its first McDonald’s outlet.
STOCKWELL RECREATION PARK – $2.4M
For the residents of Stockwell – a town with a population of just 476 – Barossa Council’s plan to develop its recreation park is particularly exciting.
Another plan as part of the council’s Big Project, the Stockwell recreation park plan provides a blueprint for future sport, recreation and open space development at the precinct.
A BMX track has already been funded with the park now being in construction.
Other key improvements may include a second oval, new and upgraded changerooms, spectator viewing and outdoor fitness stations pending grant applications.
CHATEAU TANUNDA’S CULTURAL CENTRE – $6M
Historic winery Chateau Tanunda plans to build a 48-bedroom cultural and education centre to showcase the best of the Barossa Valley.
While the designs are incorporated into the existing structures at Chateau Tanunda, the fit out would be drastic, adding accommodation inside an existing Bond Stores building, and classrooms inside the main chateau.
The winery has flagged that it will submit applications for the project this year but has postponed its earlier plans to build a $31m dollar five star hotel.
CENTENNIAL PARK UPGRADE – $4M
New clubrooms and an artificial pitch at the Barossa United Football Club are set to change the face of sport in the Barossa.
The new building and artificial pitch will bring the Barossa up to speed with metropolitan club standards and new lighting at the club’s Centennial Park base in Nuriootpa will allow it to host night games.
Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said, while the Barossa has traditionally been known for its Australian rules football, the council welcomed the growing participation in soccer the upgrades will accommodate.
Construction of the artificial pitch is expected to be finished by the end of the year, with a completion date for the new building yet to be determined.
ANGAS RECREATION PARK – $3.35M
Another part of Barossa Council’s Big Project, the redevelopment of Angas Recreation Park in Angaston would bring significant changes to the site and benefits to the community.
The development includes a new junior oval, club rooms and changerooms for the Angaston Football Club, and a new show hall.
Events and sport in Angaston would be significantly benefited by the project, with the council aiming to encourage and foster opportunities for community functions and events in line with aspirations to be a regional hub for major state and national level activities.
The total cost of the redevelopment will be $3.35m pending a successful grant application for the new show hall.
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