13 exciting developments transforming tourism, industry across Southern Downs
From industry developments to new tourism hot spots, these are the major developments changing the face of the Southern Downs! Get the full list here:
Warwick
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More than a dozen new tourist drawcards and accommodation spots are set to transform the Southern Downs in the coming months.
From tourist parks around Warwick to winery developments on the Granite Belt, these are the 13 most exciting changes lined up across the region:
THANES CREEK TOURIST PARK
An 18-site tourist park at 1180 Big Hill Road, Thanes Creek was approved by Southern Downs Regional Council in July.
The getaway spot will include sites for caravans, camper trailers or vans, and tents.
The plans also feature four cabins, a reception/kiosk, camp kitchen, shower and toilet area and recreation area for tennis, volleyball, and other sports.
The project is expected to be completed by 2023.
BALLANDEAN CELLAR DOOR AND RESTAURANT
A proposal has been lodged with SDRC to re-purpose the iconic St Oswald’s Church at 12 Bents Road, Ballandean and turn it into a stylish cellar door with a small food and beverage outlet.
Plans stated the applicant’s desire to keep the heritage and character of the building.
“(It will) provide recognition, celebration and protection of the heritage place, while delivering a functional, complementary and sustainable space that enables the minimum essential elements of a cellar door and small food and beverage outlet,” the report read.
SDRC is yet to make a decision on the potential development.
EUKEY DISTILLERY
A development bound for the Granite Belt that will combine a winery, distillery and secluded accommodation spot was approved in July.
Planning reports reveal the new cellar door will run from a 64.2 ha property at 1747 Eukey Road, which backs onto the Girraween National Park.
The development application stated a historic railway carriage would be converted into accommodation for up to four visitors, with a shipping container and farm shed to form the distillery and cellar door.
The report stated the distillery would be one of the first on the Granite Belt to produce white spirits such as gin, with the winery’s drops then made from grapes grown in the property’s 2 ha vineyard.
THULIMBAH TOURIST PARK
A new tourist park has been proposed for the lot next to the Summit Backpackers Hostel at 283 Granite Belt Drive.
Planning reports indicate 12 camping sites and short-term accommodation as well as additional hostel accommodation will be added to the property.
The extension would increase the maximum accommodation capacity from 56 to 104 people if approved.
HEALTH AND HOSPITAL WORKER ACCOMMODATION
Queensland Health have proposed an accommodation facility at 58 Locke Street just behind Warwick Hospital for the town’s healthcare workers.
The new building would feature four units with a bedroom and ensuite, along with a shared laundry, dining and living areas, and car park.
The report stated that the accommodation would create both short-term and long-term employment opportunities within Warwick.
Plans for the accommodation were submitted to SDRC earlier this month.
STANTHORPE DISTILLERY, RESTAURANT, MICROBREWERY
Stanthorpe is set to welcome an exciting microbrewery and distillery complex in the centre of town in the coming months.
The application for the restaurant and brewery at 61 Maryland Street was approved in March.
Alongside the microbrewery, distillery, and restaurant, the development will also include a tasting area, beer garden, outdoor dining area, and children’s play space.
WARWICK SERVICE STATION
A new service station has been proposed to be built in Warwick and run by Ampol at 9 Alexandra Drive.
It will be built on a currently vacant land that is approximately 1.5km from the Warwick CBD.
The service station will feature eight fuel bowsers for standard vehicles and two truck fuelling stations. It will also include a retail shop and food and drink outlet.
EASTERN COLOUR’S BACKPACKERS’ ACCOMMODATION
The prominent strawberry and apple farm is set to introduce a rural workers’ accommodation site on the property at 244 Aerodrome Road, Applethorpe.
In reports to SDRC it was proposed that the premises would be used as quarters for staff employed on the farm.
The new accommodation would be able to house 12 workers, with another six-bedroom building added to the property.
STANTHORPE MOTEL
Huge plans to turn a vacant lot into a flourishing motel in Stanthorpe was given the green light in April.
The development is expected to be one of the region’s biggest accommodation developments in years.
Studio units designed for couples will make up the majority of the accommodation, with larger units designed for up to four guests boosting the motel’s maximum guest capacity to 62.
The development will also include a manager’s residence and administration office, with the 28-space car park only accessible from Rich Street to avoid queuing along the adjoining main road, High Street.
BERAT BREWERY
The Warwick area is set to welcome its first craft brewery, with an application for a brewery in small town Berat approved in February.
The Four Fires Brewery will be located at 73 Gwynnes Road, with the “micro-production” site to focus on delivering a core range of western European-style craft beer to nearby pubs and cafes.
“From a production brewery, we hope to grow into a brew pub in the town of Warwick, with also a tasting room in Allora,” the development application read.
No timeline for the development has been given at this stage.
BALLANDEAN CABINS
Four new short-term accommodation cabins will be built on land at 104 St Judes Lane, Ballandean, after it was given the go-ahead in July.
The one-bedroom cabins will each accommodate up to two people for a maximum of eight guests at any one time, converting the former vineyard property into a new tourist drawcard on the Granite Belt.
KILLARNEY RIVERFRONT FARMSTAY
Killarney is set to gain an exclusive new tourist park in the coming months.
The 10-site Booyong Tourist Park will be situated on 100 ha of agricultural land near the Condamine River, with riverfront views available at six of the sites.
Developer Paul Stumkat stated in his application the tourist park would make the most of the natural scenery and provide guests with “an easily accessible bush camping experience”.
GLEN APLIN COTTAGE
New short-accommodation at 2 Mount Stirling Road, Glen Aplin was approved in June.
The cottage will be turned into a three-bedroom tourist accommodation site, for up to five guests at one time.
The 125 sqm block is close to wineries and national parks.
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