Pitch in for resort

By Kath Gannaway
INVESTORS are being invited to buy into a $12.5 million resort development opposite Healesville Sanctuary.
The former Galeena Beek Aboriginal Cultural Centre which closed in 2000 is set to be developed as Sanctuary Resort by Tourism Developments Australia (TDA).
The project involves redevelopment of the existing cafe and restaurant with the addition of an upstairs conference space as well as construction of 38 self-contained apartments, gym and spa facilities and a tennis court.
The resort will be set on 11 hectares (28 acres) of bushland with landscaped gardens around the apartments and restaurant.
TDA owner Steve Mitrovsky told the Mail last week his company entered into a 99-year lease with Galeena Beek Properties Limited which administers the property under the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings.
He explained purchasers will be subleasing the units from his company and will be able at any time to sell their lease.
Owners will be able to use the apartments for two weeks of the year and have a guaranteed five per cent return on their investment for three years.
Getting the development to this stage has not been without complications for Mr Mitrovsky whose plans to start work on the project last June were held up when the Shire of Yarra Ranges said approval to start construction had not been given.
Mr Mitrovsky said last week all the planning permits were in place and he expected work to start on the existing building very soon and was hoping to have the restaurant and conference centre opened by October.
The shire has confirmed two permits have been approved, the first issued in April 2003 for use and development of the tourist centre and a second issued in June 2004 for construction and use of 37 group accommodation units, a service building, a gazebo and car parking.
Mr Mitrovsky said the development would meet a demonstrated need for luxury accommodation in the Yarra Valley.
“People who come to stay in a resort want to be comfortable. They come to stay for seven days, 10 days or a month and will have the facilities here to operate their business from their apartment with computer connections and access to internet.
The location adjacent to Healesville Sanctuary was a definite plus, Mr Mitrovsky said.
The redevelopment has not, however, found any favour with some members of Healesville’s indigenous community.
Irene Swindle who was a member of the Coranderrk Koori Co-operative which originally ran the centre responded to a statement by a spokesperson for Department for Victorian Communities that the development would provide Galeena Beek Properties Limited with an income to be used for the long term benefit of indigenous people in the Healesville district.
Ms Swindle said the centre was set up not as a money stream for local indigenous people but as something the (Aboriginal) community could be proud of.
The new development will have no indigenous content.