$25m hotel in Barossa could be revived after council move

A luxury hotel that was canned after the Supreme Court found the planning consent was invalid could be revived after the Barossa Valley council moved to change zoning rules.

A proposed $25 million luxury hotel in Tanunda that was knocked on the head by the Supreme Court last year could be revived after the Barossa Council moved to rezone the land that the project was to built upon.

However, the council’s move has outraged some of the biggest wine names in the Barossa, who have accused it of “skulduggery’’ and of not listening to the people who have helped build the region’s name and reputation over the last 40 years.

Concept image of the hotel planned for the Barossa. Picture: Daring Digital

Concept image of the hotel planned for the Barossa. Picture: Daring Digital

The Barossa Council on Wednesday released its draft growth and investment strategy, which aims to provide an “overarching vision’’ for the entire region, including its townships and rural zones.

One suggestion is to rezone the area at 252 Murray St Tanunda from rural to ‘tourism development’.

“This land is not considered to be viable for primary production or viticultural purposes,’’ the document says. “It abuts the township boundary and is well located for a significant scale tourist development, having regard to its position adjacent Murray Street’’.

The Barossa Assessment Panel had previously approved the building of a hotel on the site, but that decision was appealed by Chateau Tanunda owner John Geber, with the support of Yalumba owner Robert Hill-Smith and Rockford founder Robert O’Callaghan.

Chateau Tanunda owner John Geber Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The proposed development would have included 141 rooms, six villa units, a function centre for 200 people, restaurant, cafe shops and other facilities.

Mr Geber’s appeal was upheld by the Supreme Court, with Justice Malcolm Blue finding the plan was “seriously at variance’’ with planning rules for the Barossa and it was “legally unreasonable’’ for planing consent for the project to have been granted.

“I’m just speechless at the whole thing,’’ Mr Geber said Wednesday. “It’s skulduggery to usurp the planning laws after the Supreme Court ruled in our favour’’.

Yalumba proprietor Robert Hill-Smith was also unhappy with the proposal.

“I am disappointed in the council’s decision and feel they are ignoring the wishes of the shared vision of Barossa residents in order to please outside interests,’’ he said.

However, project developer Nicholas Paphitis, chief executive of Barossa Central, welcomed the council’s decision.

“I have no doubt it will happen, whether now or in the future,’’ he said. “I think the Barossa Valley and Tanunda will be better off for it.’’

Barossa Valley mayor Michael Lange said residents had a month to respond to the draft plan, but that no final decision had been made.

“It’s an opportunity to put that parcel out to the community and see whether that’s what they want,’’ he said. “It has been included, just to see where that community is because we do have developers who are knocking on our door that are looking to invest in the Barossa.’’

The state government would also have to approve any rezoning.