IT COULD take at least five years to rebuild visitation to Hepburn Spa after the redevelopment, says interim chief executive officer Alex Zotos.
Speaking after the Hepburn Spa community advisory committee meeting on May 17, Mr Zotos said spa was a competitive industry with other regions, including the Mornington Peninsula, competing for the spa tourism dollar.
"Once people are compelled to try alternative products, they may not return," he said.
"Serious concern exists that once the spa closes (for the redevelopment to take place), it will have a multiplier effect upon business solvency and employment levels in the region.
"The redeveloped spa is expected to generate $36 million to the local economy but it could also take many years to rebuild visitation."
The community advisory committee hopes to develop strategies to minimise the impact of closure.
Mr Zotos said strategies adopted included: encouraging staff to seek alternative employment before closure; offering free massage training to reception, pool and support staff; and distributing information from Direct Recruitment
about funded job seeker programs.
"Whilst this (redeployment of staff) means we have to employ and train more staff on short-term contracts, it gives our most loyal long-term staff members the opportunity to gradually seek employment prior to closure when
85 will be looking for work," he said.
"The Elly Lukas Spa Country Campus will provide relaxation massage training to enable multi-skilling of these staff members in order to increase their employment options."
Mr Zotos said the advisory committee, which was part of Hepburn Spa's business plan, when seeking assignment of the 10-year redeveloped bathhouse lease in 2004, had attracted widespread support from leaders in the local tourism,
hospitality and accommodation industry, trade union, local pool users, employees and employment experts.
He was not prepared to comment on the committee's first meeting until the approval of the minutes.
"I can say it was the most positive meeting I have attended in the shire over the last few years and there is a large group of serious people, including chairwoman Jenny Beacham, who are prepared to give up their time to tackle
some serious issues affecting us all," he said.
Meanwhile, Hepburn Shire Council has urged residents and business owners to nominate for the Bathhouse Redevelopment Business and Community Liaison Group.
The council and State Government group aims to involve the community to keep employees and others informed about the redevelopment.
Mayor Heather Mutimer and Ballarat East MLA Geoff Howard said the group would work independently of potential tenders including the current tenant in considering the interests of the bathhouse employees.
Cr Mutimer said the group would also assist in planning to reduce the impact of the temporary closure.
"A number of local spa and therapy operators have already indicated they will work in to provide more alternative services while the bathhouse is being redeveloped," she said.
The redevelopment will start at the end of October when the current lease expires. Expressions of interest for the liaison group must be in writing to Hepburn Shire CEO Victor Szwed by June 12.
Email a friend