De Lago Resort: Manager breaks silence after NT Health shuts Lake Bennett facility down

De Lago’s general manager says the business will fight for its future and work with the department to allow the resort to reopen – but questions remain about the status of refunds.

Andrew Gunn at the resort. Picture katrina Bridgeford.

The general manager of a Top End resort that was shut down by NT Health late last week over alleged concerns about wastewater management and water supply says its owner is determined to work with the department to reopen the facility.

De Lago Resort on Lake Bennett, which reopened to the public in May 2021 under new ownership, was slapped with a Public Health Order on Thursday, prohibiting the provision of food services and accommodation at the site.

A spokeswoman for NT Health previously said the order was made in response to alleged noncompliance with a Public Health Notice issued in November 2022, requiring upgrades to the resort’s drinking water and onsite wastewater management.

The NT News was unable to reach resort owner Andrew Gunn, who owns a string of successful venues in South Australia, but on Monday did manage to speak to the resort’s recently appointed general manager, Glenn Sorensen.

“We’re all very devastated,” he said.

“As you’re aware, an order has been issued by the department, but there are avenues to ask for that to be reviewed.

Andrew Gunn at Lake Bennett Resort. Picture katrina Bridgeford.

“We are getting a submission to NT Health [on Monday].

“We are committed to working with NT Health, we respect them and what they do and how they protect Territorians.”

Mr Sorensen claimed the Public Health Order’s genesis could be found in an unfortunate breakdown in communication.

“The right paperwork hasn’t landed on the right desk,” he said.

“Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been spent on wastewater [upgrades] here.

“I’m not saying there’s not another dollar to be spent, but the right person hasn’t been informed as to what’s currently in place and how it works.

Lake Bennett Resort. Picture katrina Bridgeford.

“Andrew [Gunn] does not have a plumbing background and neither does NT Health.

“Waste management and water supply has been an ongoing issue for every resident of Lake Bennett for many, many years.”

He urged Territorians to stay away from the lake, noting that young staff remained on-site for now but that they did not have move-on powers.

“All we can do is make sure premises are locked, and make people aware they are trespassing,” Mr Sorensen said.

He said his young staff were forced to deal with multiple people “taking canoes, bringing eskies [and] jumping in the pool” on Sunday.

Meanwhile, there is growing concern from holiday-makers whose bookings were cancelled as to the status of any refunds.

Cullen Bay woman Valda Cooper and her partner Peter took up a De Lago offer publicised last week on social media to spend two nights at the resort for $189.

However, when the pair arrived, they were greeted by a closed sign and a “caretaker” who told them he believed patrons had been phoned or emailed about their bookings.

“We didn’t receive any of that,” Ms Cooper said.

She said they had attempted to contact De Lago multiple times via telephone and email to ascertain the status of their booking and whether they will be refunded, but had not heard anything back.

“Customer service sort of fell through the floor,” Ms Cooper said.

She said she is “disappointed” and hopes she receives her money back, but as someone who has spent many happy holidays at Lake Bennett, Ms Cooper is rooting for De Lago.

“I hope they get through this,” she said.

Mr Sorensen, the manager, said the business was in the process of “finalising” its communications to those whose bookings could not be fulfilled.