{"id":347498,"date":"2024-04-29T18:41:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T08:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=347498"},"modified":"2024-04-30T20:29:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T10:29:53","slug":"7m-upgrade-for-dusty-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/04\/29\/7m-upgrade-for-dusty-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"$7m Upgrade For Dusty Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: Moffatdale businessman Joe Prendergast showed a portfolio of plans for the Dusty Hill tourism development at a Murgon Business and Development Association meeting in 2020<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 29, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

A $7 million upgrade to the Dusty Hill winery complex in Moffatdale has been approved by the South Burnett Regional Council.<\/p>\n

At last Wednesday’s general meeting, Councillors were told Dusty Joe’s Pty Ltd wants to expand two buildings on the site and add two more.<\/p>\n

The company proposes to upgrade the existing Irish Tavern into a 643sq m restaurant and convert The Cooperage into a 393sq m function centre.<\/p>\n

It also wants to build a new chapel to be used for weddings as well as a two-storey caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Councillors heard the company’s application for the project was initially lodged last May and had been “in the works” while officers examined the details of the project.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It will be built on rural-zoned land.<\/p>\n

Conditions imposed include a requirement to build a two-lane bitumen road from the property’s entrance to the front of the complex.<\/p>\n

The company will also be required to install a sewerage treatment system and create 245 sealed car parking spaces, including five disability spots and two bus areas.<\/p>\n

It must also conduct an acoustic survey of the property.<\/p>\n

The Development Approval has a six-year lifespan and is the fifth the company has lodged since 1999.<\/p>\n

The project was originally unveiled by Joe Prendergast at a Murgon Business and Development Association meeting in 2020.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He said the development would be built in stages next to Dusty Hill Wines. Plans at the time included a brewery, distillery, underground cellar, 10-room motel and accommodation cottages.<\/p>\n

In the 2021-22 State Budget, the project was allocated $1.8 million from the “Growing Tourism Infrastructure” fund, followed by a further allocation of $450,000 in the 2022-23 State Budget.<\/p>\n

Dusty Joe’s Pty Ltd also owns The Goomeri Bakery and Joe’s Grand Hotel (Goomeri).<\/p>\n

Joe Prendergast is currently facing a number of charges in Murgon Magistrates Court unrelated to his business activities.<\/p>\n

A Directions Hearing on these matters is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday.<\/p>\n