Plans for Rivercreek glamping development in Wallington

A Wallington farm could become home to an eco-tourism development.

Glamping tent at Peninsula Hot Springs Resort, Victoria.

Wallington could become home to an eco-tourism development, with plans to build glamping tents on a farm adjacent Lake Connewarre.

The proposed accommodation, to be known as Rivercreek, would see 10 single-storey dwellings of “simple architectural form” – glamping tents – built at a farm at 254-290 Lings Rd.

Project manager Jennifer Paton said Rivercreek would deliver high-end agritourism to Wallington, with the group accommodation on a working farm with views over the adjacent wetlands and saltmarsh.

Ms Paton said the project would cost up to $2m but in the longer term the plan was to use the money generated by the accommodation to for regenerative farming.

Ms Paton said the property owners had worked closely with authorities including the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority over the past 10 years to plant more than 4000 trees and to maintain the saltmarsh areas that the habitat of the orange bellied parrot.

About 40ha of the property comprises wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas.

“Revenue generated by the accommodation will assist with maintenance, protection and enhancement of the environmentally sensitive areas as well as provide funds to sustain the heritage grains crops and native flowers for the cut flower market,” Ms Paton said

Wallington could become home to an eco-tourism development. Picture: Supplied

Ms Paton said Wallington was an essential tourism drawcard for the Bellarine Peninsula, already home to attractions including Adventure Park.

She said the “eco structures” would provide an authentic experience of the Bellarine Peninsula’s rural agricultural setting, while benefiting local producers and enhancing the area’s tourism capacity.

“Agritourism is a growing industry that allows farms to diversify and create an additional income stream that supports sustainable farming and, in the case of Rivercreek, the resources to maintain and enhance environmental areas,” she said.

Ms Paton said the 10 structures would be low profile, embedded in the landscape and obscured from public view.

Each would include one bedroom with a walk in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, an open plan kitchen and a living area which is connected to the open deck.

The buildings will designs by Eco Structures, an Australian-owned business behind the glamping accommodation at Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula.

Each of the eco structures would reach a maximum of 5m in height.

An ensuite inside an ‘eco structure’ glamping tent at Peninsula Hot Springs Resort, Victoria.

A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said the neighbours that owned the property had been talking about bringing glamping to the area for years.

“Environmental overlays need to be taken into account,” the resident said.

“We’ve got beautiful birds here, a beautiful environment.

“It should be protected, but it could also be appreciated.”

The plans are available for public comment via Geelong council’s website until September 11.

Originally published as Plans for Rivercreek glamping development in Wallington