The tourism development group won $345,000 as part of the State Government’s $10 million Enabling Tourism Fund for development of a masterplan for the site’s redevelopment.
The State Government fund, intended for ‘public and private tourism infrastructure projects’, included objectives ‘to drive investment-ready status’ of tourism developments.
Horsham council investment, attraction and growth manager Fiona Gormann said there were no ‘concept plans’ at this stage, however ATG’s plans would be ‘developed and presented to key stakeholders for feedback in March 2023’.
She said the property and development under discussion formed part of the Horsham Golf Club Special Use Zone, and that all previously-approved building and planning permits had lapsed.
“Council has not received any planning applications from ATG for this site,” she said.
“The developer will be required to complete a planning application as per the Horsham Planning Scheme and also submit a building application.
“The development will go out for public notice as per the planning scheme requirements.
“The owner and developer are committed to ensuring the residents in the surrounding areas are engaged throughout the development process.
“ATG informed attendees there are no concept plans at this stage.”
Ms Gormann said the resident information meeting at Horsham Golf Club went beyond public consultation requirements to involve Haven and Horsham residents with the project’s potential.
“The meetings and discussions being undertaken by the owner and developer with the local residents are over and above statutory requirements,” she said.
“This is occurring as the owner and developer want to involve the local surrounding residents in the journey of this exciting project.
“The meeting and discussions were well received by the residents who attended.”
Horsham Golf Club sold the site to Horsham investors nearly two decades ago, with intentions for the club, and the resort, to be collaborative players in the project’s tourist attractiveness.
Horsham Golf Club president Gerard Bardell said despite the project still awaiting development confirmation, the build would be ‘exciting’ for the golf club, as well as for Horsham businesses and Wimmera people.
“From the club’s perspective, we will be working closely and waiting to be engaged, and we look forward to working with the developers,” he said.
“The project is still to come to fruition, and we imagine they are out there scoping for opportunities and working through feasibility studies.
“We have had preliminary discussions with the developers about the project, but nothing more than that at this stage.”
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