Light Regional Council approved the project at a meeting last night.

Project director Tony Yap says construction of the 12-storey hotel will get underway later this year.

“We are thrilled to finally have approval and to move into the next phases after investing almost $2 million into the project to date,” Yap said.

“A tender process has been undertaken to choose a luxury hotel operator and we look forward to announcing this exciting partnership soon.”

The 70-room hotel will include suites and penthouses, with balconies for every room.

The hotel will also boast a restaurant, boardroom and private dining room. There will also be a top-floor viewing deck with 360-degree views of the surrounding Barossa Valley.

The team behind the project say the hotel will attract new tourism markets to the region and generate $90 million in tourism spending.

The project, to be set among vineyards near Seppeltsfield Winery on the western side of the Barossa Valley, was first announced in 2020.

The South Australian Environment, Resources and Development Court dismissed an appeal against the project last year.

Locals filed court action to get the project – categorised as ‘tourist accommodation’ – classified under a different category to allow for greater community consultation.

A revised application was lodged with Light Regional Council in February this year with amendments to the building’s height and location.