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Chinese consortium planning $600m development for Moonah Links

A CHINESE consortium is planning a $600m development with hotel, stingray-shaped spa resort, water theme park and prestige golf academy on Mornington Peninsula.

THE Mornington Peninsula could become home to one of Victoria’s most expensive tourism developments if the grand plans of a Chinese consortium get the go-ahead.

A water theme park, international hotel, boutique residences, indoor go-karting track, spa resort, hot springs centre, and prestige golf academy are all on the cards for the bold development at Moonah Links golf course.

RELATED: Landmark peninsula tourist venues up for sale

The estimated cost of the “hush hush” project could be as high as $600 million.

The owners — a consortium of Chinese and Chinese-Australian business people — have already presented their plans to the Minister for Tourism and Major events, John Eren.

Industry sources say there have been “plenty of rumours” about the project but nothing was yet approved, however a Chinese video clip describing the plans for the site is now online.

A stingray-shaped hot springs centre is part of the plan.
A stingray-shaped hot springs centre is part of the plan.

The marketing video from Peninsula International Group describes Melbourne and the peninsula as dream destinations, although the geography is a slightly awry — describing the peninsula as surrounded by the “famous Phillip Bay” and “facing south to the South Pacific Ocean”.

Businessman Paddy Handbury sold the championship golf venue Moonah Links, which boasts two courses and Peppers hotel, to the consortium for about $18m last year.

The owners’ plans for the site include a boutique residential development and high-end hotel with 450 rooms and seven restaurants as well as the water theme park and spa therapy and hot springs centre.

A new Peninsula Golf Institute Academy would be connected with 12 large schools in China.

A spokesman for the consortium, Sasha Han, told Leader the owners had already engaged consultants to prepare environmental and cultural and heritage reports for the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

A scene from the video showing the conference facilities in the 450-room hotel.
A scene from the video showing the conference facilities in the 450-room hotel.

“The (online) ‘inspiration’ video shows what we hope to do, but it will come down to the local authorities,” he said.

“We want to be able to create something that will benefit the peninsula, the community and Victoria as a whole.

“We’re very serious about this development … and we want to bring in tourists from abroad and interstate. We think the Mornington Peninsula is very, very popular, and we want to promote it and attract as many visitors as possible.”

Mr Han said the owners were keen to consult the community and build employment in the area.

“Everybody has been quite supportive and we’re working very hard with the relevant authorities,” he said.

A golf academy linked with schools in China is also part of the plan.
A golf academy linked with schools in China is also part of the plan.

A spokesman for Acting Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Philip Dalidakis, said the government had provided advice to the developers.

“We want to see world-class destinations like the Mornington Peninsula continue to offer an unforgettable experience for visitors, because it means more opportunities for nearby businesses and jobs for locals,” spokesman Patrick Lane said.

“That’s why we’ve helped the developer with ways they can work with the Mornington Peninsula Shire to make this proposal work, like we do with many organisations with bold plans for great projects.”

Mr Lane said the developer had not sought State Government funding for a project.

Moonah Links is a major selling point in the promotional video.
Moonah Links is a major selling point in the promotional video.

“The matter remains one between the developer and the Mornington Peninsula Shire,” he said.

The head of Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism, Tracey Cooper, said the proposal was a serious development of state significance.

“It will be something that services Victorian, Australian and international visitors and also has an international student offering in the sporting arena,” she said.

She said it was a “grand plan” but still had a long way to go.

“The State Government, regional tourism board and the council are very keen to work with the developers,” she said.

Ms Cooper said the developers were diligently working with the authorities to get things moving.

“Projects like this take time,” she said.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/chinese-consortium-planning-600m-development-for-moonah-links/news-story/b265585d4139849a134e691ff8757542