$50 million Daylesford lakeside resort project moves forward

A planning application for the development of the Lake Bellagio Resort and Spa at Daylesford in the foothills of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range has been approved by Hepburn Shire Council.

The planned $50 million resort, for which the developers are still seeking investment, includes the construction of 100 self-contained units around the lake, a function centre, health retreat and spa with liquor license and 300 car parks.

Agreed last month, the resort is expected to generate 24 full time jobs, with another 32 employed part time. In addition to construction jobs, another 132 jobs will be generated in the municipality.

Two previous planning applications for similar developments were refused in 2005 and then again in 2009.

However, the current plan has a smaller footprint than the previous proposals.

The current planning application, lodged on 4th April last year, was given conditional approval from the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; the Country Fire Authority, Goulburn Murray Water and Vic Roads.

Advising that the largest point of difference between Bellagio and other spa resorts was its lake, Robert Caulfield, Director of Caulfield Krivanek Architecture explained “there is nothing like this in Victoria to this scale. We’ve developed a complete wellness program so it’s more than a spa centre.

“There is a track around the lake which can be used for walking and other health and wellness activities, while there is also an idea to use the lake for kayaking.”

Media reports suggest that the Belgravia Group, which runs the Hepburn Bath House and whose Belgravia Leisure division operates more than 100 aquatic, fitness, recreation and wellness facilities, will manage the resort as part of its growing spa portfolio.

Image: Artist's impressions of the proposed development.