$8m golf club hotel

Application for 60-room eco-tourism development

AN $8 million hotel will be built on the Bellarine Peninsula if plans before the City of Greater Geelong are approved.

It would be located at the Curlewis golf range on Portarlington Rd, with its owners hoping the development would help address the shortage of accommodation on the peninsula.

The proposed eco-tourism development would have 60 hotel rooms across 14 two-storey and two one-storey buildings.

“Each two-storey building has four hotel rooms, which have the same configuration on the ground floor and first floor,” the planning report says.

“Each room has a bed, amenities and outdoor deck.

“The buildings will vary in height from 6.55m to 8.562m, and the floor to ceiling height in each room is 2.7m.”

The development would include 77 car parks and 10 golf cart parks.

The proposed accommodation would be to the south of the clubhouse and west of the ninth green.

“The first tee will be relocated to the north of the development area,” the application says.

“The 60 rooms will be located in 17 buildings in an area that is partially used for site services and a golf tee and green.

“A designated reception or check-in area will be located in the clubhouse.”

The hotel would help address the concerns by the tourism industry about a lack of accommodation on the Bellarine Peninsula.

“The Bellarine Peninsula is a key tourist destination and there is strong policy support to the increase of accommodation at the Curlewis Golf Club,” the planning report says.

“Other private golf courses in the region, such as 13th Beach Golf Club and Resort and RACV Torquay both offer accommodation and golfing activities, which is a strong attraction for visitors wishing to enjoy a ‘stay and play’ experience.”

Lyndsay Sharp, the marketing, sales and hospitality director of The Sharp Group, which heads Leura Park, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Flying Brick Cider Co and Curlewis Golf Club, said it was hoped to be up and running by April next year.

“Hopefully it will play a small part in addressing the chronic accommodation shortage on the Bellarine Peninsula,” Mrs Sharp said.

“The hotel is very cool, it’s contemporary — we’re very excited.”

According to the planning documents the development is estimated to cost $8 million.

The plans are on public exhibition until October 18.