The long-running battle over a planned high-rise hotel in South Australia’s Barossa Valley is about to reach its climax.
Critics of the proposed luxury, 12-storey, 50-metre tall complex say its design resembles a slug, and claim it will vandalise the Barossa’s natural beauty.
To its supporters though, ‘the Oscar’ at the Seppeltsfield winery will be a ‘world-class luxury hotel’ that will light up the region and attract wine tourists from all over the globe.
Now, a court case will this month could determine the fate of the project.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that the decision on whether the Oscar will be approved sits with the Light Regional Council, but the process has been paused because of an appeal lodged with the Environment Resources and Development Court (ERD).
A main point of contention for those opposing the Oscar is that it was labelled a category two development and not category three. A category two development means only immediate neighbours can lodge and objection and have 14 days to do so and no appeal rights.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that, if the court case goes against them, Seppeltsfield owner Warren Randall says he could take the project to one of his properties in the McLaren Vale or the Adelaide Hills.
“The Oscar could be like the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Sydney Opera House that brings international and interstate tourists to South Australia to see the building,’’ Mr Randall said. “If the Barossa says ‘no’ to the Oscar, I will simply take it to another wine district and the Barossa will miss out.’’
However, Eva Tscharke from the Barossa Region Residents’ Association. says it’s not buildings that attract visitors to the Barossa.
“It’s the Barossa that’s the showpiece – the vines, the natural beauty – not buildings,’’ she told the Advertiser.
The property would have around 70 rooms, including suites and penthouses, with a private balcony for every room, and a sky bar on the top level with 360-degree views of the Barossa Valley.
Veteran grey nomads have become used to seeing Australia’s landscape change … and not always for the better.
Giant mining operations have had a huge impact in some areas, wind farms have popped up in the Outback, and bitumen roads have changed the character of many areas forever. On a smaller scale, travellers have seen the emergence of thong trees, dressed termite mounds, and all sorts of strange rusty metal sculptures.
All of these ‘additions’ have divided opinion. One person’s masterpiece is another person’s eyesore. To some, the rolling green hills should forever be the dominant feature of the Barossa Valley. Others though are more pragmatic.
They say the hotels we build today may one day be viewed in the same revered way as we currently look at the inscriptions carved into the Dig Tree by Burke and Wills.
Burke & Wills were “Pioneers” not “Entrepreneurs”. Probably turning in their graves right now
Actually they were explorers and very poor one’s at that.
Fools is the description I’d give Burk and Wills,
Wills was simply following orders but Burke was calling the shots and he refused food and help from the local First Nations people. See what racism and arrogance can bring you, he was a prat !
Personally, I think it does not look pretty, nor does it compliment the landscape
I have stayed at the Marques de Riscal Hotel, a Frank Gehry design, in the Rioja wine growing district in Spain. It is an unusual but beautiful modern building in the middle of vineyards and near a traditional village. Maybe this is the Australian version. I like the building design and would definitely stay there.
Result of designers and architects on magic mushrooms…???
Got that right …
Think Burke and Wills did well considering..
No.. computers, satellites, vehicle’s, air flight, drones, caravans etc etc.
hard extreme yakka in those days. Not even air conditioning..bugger.
It’s very ugly and not sympathetic to the beautiful landscape. Should not be allowed ANYWHERE !
Give me a break, it’s contemporary art. Do you own a car? Or do you still get around by horse and cart?
It’s absolutely awesome, it’s art, how could anyone hate that? They said all this about The Sydney Opera House. I watched a documentary about the trials and tribulations of getting the Opera House construction complete, (the designer died before the project was finally built, he never lived to see the fruition of his dream) and they had a roving reporter ask peoples opinion. There was one womans comment I’ll never forget, “We don’t want ya cultcha, (culture)”, it seems things still haven’t changed. Wouldn’t you want something people are going to talk about? Or would you prefer your stock standard rectangle with windows?
I can take or leave the building, but it doesn’t really suit the region.Something less conspicuous would be more suitable. Shape it like a bunch of grapes maybe?
I love progress, but this is ugly!
Keep the Barossa looking like it has always looked.. Beautiful.
It look real good be for it was settled by White Fellas. Its all opinion I like meat and potato’s some like cake.
I like it.
Not much else in S.A. except churches, so yeah, do it.
That’s right Clem nothing to see here.
On a positive note, CHANGE IS THE MOST CONSTANT VISION IN LIFE.
However for the major part of ones thinking it is hard for one to accept.
Perhaps this is the CHANGE that the wine tourism industry would appreciate and to understand the worth or importance of Change.
B
It looks out of place for the Barossa area . Reminds me of the cube in maclarenVale it too is a non event in my eyes.
I don’t mind the look of it except for the height & I don’t believe it would need to be that high to obtain the same 360° views at Seppeltsfield. As it is it’s going to just look like it’s been plonked (excuse the pun) there with no real thought. Half as high but a bit more spread out I think would be fine.
looks like a big snail or slug. I like big things. In time it’ll just be another ruin then it’ll disappear. Its not the great pyramid or the acropolis. If they want to spend the cash why not.
I am not against building a luxury hotel at Seppeltsfield but I cannot believe that Warren Randall who made such a fantastic result of restoring and expanding Seppeltsfield would build a hotel not in keeping with the existing architecture of Seppeltsfield. Hotel great idea but needs a better design in keeping with Barossa architecture
Ditto, well said.