Resort plan for Valley

The proposed hotel development will be at the back of the Swan Valley Oasis Resort along the West Swan Road tourism route.

Owner Gerry Hanssen, also the managing director of the Hanssen construction firm, said the Swan River hotel was the result of five years of planning.

The construction boss has been an investor in the Swan Valley for nearly 30 years and his latest plan will cost about $12 million to build, plus furnishings.

His 30ha resort already has a golf course, Aboriginal gallery, brewery, function venue and cottage accommodation.

“The Swan Valley badly needs a five-star hotel with large function areas as there is nothing like this in our region other than The Vines with smaller function areas,” he said.

“With the mining boom gone and the dollar down to 72 US cents, tourism should come back.”

Plans show the two-storey building will consist of two curved elements resembling a leaf surrounding a north-facing courtyard.

The height has been kept low in a bid to minimise the development’s effect on the highly-protected Swan Valley rural character.

Much of the view will overlook the golf course but a treetop platform will offer visitors a vantage point to view the Swan River.

Once built, the 103-room resort will be one of the biggest hotels in the Swan Valley, second only to The Vines resort which has 103 rooms and 54 condominiums.

Another major accommodation development at Mandoon Estate is set to start construction later this year.

General manager Travers O’Rafferty said the 32 chalets on Mandoon’s 12ha property would be finished in about two years.

The Metropolitan East Joint Development Assessment Panel will make the final decision on the Swan River hotel.

Submissions can be sent to Philip Russell, City of Swan, Box 196, Midland, 6936, quoting reference number DA949-15.