Spa plans build momentum
MOMENTUM is building for a proposed $20 million mineral spa and wellness centre on Geelong’s waterfront.
Work is progressing on the Eastern Beach venture, which has been on the council’s drawing board for at least a decade.
After a business case found the project was viable, the State Government has come on board and provided some financial backing.
Council officers are now busy carrying out site assessments, ahead of a call for private investors to register their interest in developing the Lower Hearne Parade facility.
“(They) are hoping to commence bore testing in the next few weeks to determine the quality and capacity of the water resource,” council’s investment and attraction acting director Fiona Gray said.
Ms Gray said a planning scheme amendment was expected to be lodged later this year, which would begin a detailed process of asking for expressions of interest.
“(That) will include the appointment of legal, probity and commercial advisers to ensure a fully transparent and competitive tender outcome,” she said.
The council is excited by the economic and social potential of the development, with demand for the industry tipped to rise considerably over the next decade.
“The global spa and wellness industry is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars, making it one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries,” Ms Gray said.
“The project will deliver social benefits … including the continuation of the bay walk from Eastern Beach to Limeburners Point as well as a lower-cost bathing area within the facility for community use.
A business case carried out in 2015 found in favour of the development.
The City of Greater Geelong, under the administrators, allocated $250,000 in 2017-18 to progress the project.
The State Government has committed $1 million to help install the necessary supporting infrastructure on the site.