Industry heavyweights back Chambroad’s $65m Kangaroo Bay Hotel project for economic benefits

While in the midst of legal battles for the project, Kangaroo Bay Hotel developer Chambroad has received some industry support for the $65m plan: Who’s behind it:

The Kangaroo Bay $50m hotel proposal by developer Chambroad.

Tourism and business heavyweights have thrown their support behind the proposed Kangaroo Bay Hotel Project as a major financial and employment benefit for Tasmania’s economy.

Hotel developer Chambroad Australia is locked in a court dispute with Clarence City Council as council tries to force Chambroad to sell the land back.

Council previously rejected the project last year as the developer failed to “substantially commence a previously approved iteration on time”. Meanwhile, Chambroad is trying for the second time to have the hotel recognised as a major project with the governement.

Organisations such as the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, Master Builders Tasmania, the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, Tasmanian Small Business Council and Business Eastern Shore have thrown their support behind the build, citing the outcomes from the development.

Kangaroo Bay Hotel, Project Director Greg Hudson. Picture: Chris Kidd

Kangaroo Bay Project Manager Greg Hudson welcomed the support.

“Our Major Project Proposal outlines significant outcomes, including an updated hotel construction investment cost of $65m as well as new findings demonstrating increased visitor spend of more than $500m over the first 10 years,” he said.

“We also predict the creation of 100 construction jobs and 443 full-time equivalent ongoing jobs across the southern region for this project, with around 50 per cent of jobs remaining in Clarence and the remaining 50 per cent shared between Glenorchy, Hobart, Sorell, Brighton, Kingborough, Derwent Valley and Southern Midlands.”

Master Builders Tasmania CEO Dave Clerk said the Eastern Shore was the best location for new development projects.

Kangaroo Bay Hotel. Picture: Supplied

“We believe that Hobart’s Eastern Shore is a prime site for investment and development, given its access to services and infrastructure as well as the capacity to easily accommodate opportunities for apprentices and trainees,” he said.

“Master Builders Tasmania will strongly support any well-planned and well-designed projects in areas like Hobart’s Eastern Shore that will make a significant contribution, both in terms of the immediate benefits to the building and construction sector of a new investment, but also over the longer term, where projects can demonstrate that they will provide ongoing benefits.”

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said the Kangaroo Bay Hotel would provide wider benefits to the Tasmanian community as new tourism infrastructure.

“It is important to remember that the Kangaroo Bay site was defined 20 years ago as a zone to activate tourism and hospitality,” she said.

Kangaroo Bay Hotel. Picture: Supplied

“Private investment aimed at creating memorable and brand-aligned experiences for both Tasmanians and our visitors is critical to Tasmania’s visitor economy future, especially at a time when the pipeline of new private investment has slowed due to economic uncertainty.”

Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old said the additional spend of $500m by tourists in the southern region would be a great incentive for some struggling businesses in Tasmania.

“We are particularly looking forward to the additional spend, which will directly stimulate related businesses to invest to create a hospitality precinct on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, activating both daytime activities and events as well as night-time entertainment,” he said.

Originally published as Industry heavyweights back Chambroad’s $65m Kangaroo Bay Hotel project for economic benefits