A THREE-WAY consortium will build the much-anticipated hotel/conference centre in Marysville.
Tourism and community representatives have welcomed the State Government announcement last week that construction of the $28 million project would start mid-2013 with an expected completion date of 2014.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan and Seymour MP Cindy McLeish went to Marysville on 23 October to deliver the good news.
The development by Melbourne Civic City Property in partnership with Toga Pty Ltd and Metier3 Architects includes a 100-room four-star hotel with conference facilities for 300 people and associated recreation and spa facilities.
Mr Ryan said the project would create 85 new full-time jobs during construction and was expected to provide 60 full-time jobs within five years.
McLeish said the State Government was providing $19 million towards the project.
“Located in the heart of the town, this development will add character, quality and social benefit to Marysville and at the same time provide a tangible economic stimulus to tourism and private sector business investment right across the region,” she said .
While there has been huge investment in public infrastructure since the 2009 bushfires, president of Mystic Mountains Tourism Christine Adams said this was the announcement people had been waiting for.
“For the last three years people have been saying we need a conference centre and this is it,” she said. “It will be an enormous positive for the town.”
She said for tourists driving into Marysville to see development happening on the prominent former Cumberland/Keppel’s site would reinforce the fact that Marysville was moving ahead.
“The fact that it is bringing more shops and a pub area, as well employment are all positive for the town,” Mrs. Adams said.
Executive officer of the Marysville and Triangle Community Association Tony Thompson also spoke of the development as a huge boost for tourism in the area and one that would drive more business investment.
“It’s not every day a company comes to town and wants to invest $28 million,” he said.
“It could be a good time to invest in Marysville.”
The community will have an opportunity to look over the plans and make comments on the proposed Vibe Hotel and Conference Centre Marysville with a public exhibition from 1 November to 7 December as part of the planning consultation process.
