Eco Village tourism for Lake William Hovell

Sourse: Wangaratta Chronicle - 13.10.08

G-MW have dam accommodation plan, but credit crunch a set back

Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER.

COMMERCIAL accommodation remains on the cards for Lake William Hovell.

But the current global financial crisis may delay any immediate plans.

Goulburn-Murray Water has confirmed it has identified a preferred developer for an eco-tourism type accommodation development which will be a first at the picturesque storage in the King Valley.

However, G-MW manager for strategic and stakeholder affairs, Garry Smith, said the current credit crunch may make it difficult for the developer to attract an investor in that type of recreational and leisure market at present.

"We had a great deal of interest when we approached the open market for ideas for a commercial accommodation development in keeping with the lake’s tranquil, bushland environment," he said.

"We know there is a good opportunity, but we’re just waiting to see what happens in the market.

"We won’t be putting the matter on ice though."

He said going back to the market for further expressions of interest was a future possibility.

It is understood the commercial accommodation being pursued is of an ‘eco-lodge’ style, which would blend in with the thick alpine forest and make use of the passive recreation, such as fishing and bushwalking.

G-MW had previously said that a caravan park or lakeside resort was not considered a desirable alternative.

The authority said it is always looking at ways it can work with local communities and authorities, and that any specific private development proposal for the dam would be subject to consultation with the Rural City of Wangaratta and the wider community.

Rural city economic development manager, Graham Nickless, said council had had contact from a party who had submitted an expression of interest to G-MW.

A lack of commercial accommodation in the King Valley had been identified in a 2002 masterplan undertaken for council.

Mr Nickless said accommodation could take advantage of the picturesque valley, with its many wineries, burgeoning gourmet produce, wonderful bushland and trout fishing.