TWO hotel proposals offering four star and luxury accommodation along the Busselton foreshore have been endorsed by the City of Busselton.
Singman Tourism Group would be the first company to develop a minimum four star hotel as part of the foreshore redevelopment and could be completed within two years.
The group would remain the preferred proponent for site two on the city’s foreshore master plan for a period of 12 months while the terms and conditions for a development agreement and sub-lease were negotiated.
It is hoped the first hotel is operating after the completion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport expansion to cater for interstate and Asian tourists.
Singman Tourism Group is an Australian Malaysian joint venture and its managing director George Chapman said Busselton was a logical choice for expansion.
He said the foreshore area adjacent to the jetty had been redeveloped as a tourist destination to international standards.
Concept sketches of the development were subject to discussions with the City of Busselton which Mr Chapman said was to ensure the project meets the city’s objectives.
He said a major feature of the hotel would be a rooftop area with an infinity swimming pool, gym, spa, alfresco dining and a private function area.
“Plus a rooftop observation deck offering unsurpassed views of Geographe Bay, beachfront and the iconic Busselton Jetty,” he said.
The hotel would also feature four levels of hotel accommodation with 160 rooms, a lobby bar, restaurant, gift shop, business lounge and a ballroom function centre which could accommodate 400 guests.
“This is believed to be the largest venue of its type in the South West,” he said.
The second hotel proposed for the foreshore would offer five star luxury accommodation and be developed by the Hotel Development Group, which is part of MGallery by Sofitel.
Hotel Development Group managing director Roger Foster said with the expansion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport his company believed Busselton would become a tourist hot spot.
“Centrally located Busselton will complement the already world renowned Margaret River wine district along with Dunsborough and other towns in the region,” he said.
Mr Foster said the hotel would be an entertainment hub for locals and tourists with planned facilities to include a brasserie and bar and a rooftop bar and restaurant which would overlook the bay.
City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said while the developers had earmarked mid 2018 as a potential completion date it would be subject to ongoing negotiations with the city and stakeholders including the Busselton Tennis Club.
“Which will relocate into brand new premises in the Barnard Park sporting precinct within the next two to three years,” he said.
Mr Henley said it was positive news that there were a potential developers for the sites and it appears all parties were keen to progress negotiations.
“Moving forward, It is entirely possible that the development could be achieved within this time frame,” he said.
Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Ray McMillan said several proposals were put to the council which appear to be encouraging.
Mr McMillan said there were still a number of matters the council had to resolve and it might be premature to consider them as a forgone conclusion.
He said the proposals would be a welcome addition to the overall mix of accommodation at the upper end in terms of quality.
“Busselton, particularly the inner central business district lacks high quality accommodation and these developments, should they proceed, will set a new standard,” he said.
