- Jacobsen Group to develop 90-hectare property in Hunter Valley
- Will include 200,000 seat amphitheatre, hotel, villas and equestrian centre
- Project to cost $500M
Plans have been announced to develop a 90-hectare property in NSW’s Hunter Valley into a state of the art entertainment and sporting facility.
The $500 million proposal contains plans for an amphitheatre with capacity for 20,000 people, and an adjoining hotel and villas.
In a unique twist, the development will also include the establishment of an Olympic-standard equestrian centre.
The site is located on McDonalds road in Polkobin, in the Lower Hunter Valley wine region.
The announcement, made by the Jacobsen Group on September 13, accompanies a spate of development plans made for the area.
In August of this year, a site in the Hunter Valley was acquired by the Cedar Mill Group with plans to construct a $107 million tourist hub, featuring a large-scale concert venue.
The Jacobsen Group property is also in proximity to major tourism hot spots, the Hunter Valley Gardens and The Vintage golf resort.
“The proposal has the support of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Hunter & Central Coast Regional) along with Regional Development Australia – Hunter Region.”
Bob Scott, Project Manager Jacobsen Group
David Jacobsen, spokesperson of the Jacobsen Group, says the site’s topography makes it an ideal location for the construction of the extensive amphitheatre.
8,000 of its seats will be undercover, allowing the venue to cater for varying weather conditions.
Mr Jacobsen says the venue will feature on-site amenities, allowing local winegrowers and food providers to showcase their products to event-goers, and a small commercial area.
The proposal also includes an international hotel with 120 rooms and 200 villas.
Project Manager Bob Scott said the inclusion of an international equestrian centre was eagerly awaited as it is the first of its kind in the Hunter region.
“The only two major equestrian centres in NSW are Horsley Park in Sydney, which was the venue for the 2000 Olympic Games, and Tamworth in the central north of the state.
“The proposed centre will not only be of Olympic standard, but accessible to riding for the disabled and Hunter region pony clubs,” Mr Scott added.
According to Mr Scott, the Equestrian NSW branch based in Horsley Park expressed support of the development, citing the Hunter region as a fitting location.
“These world-class facilities are well-suited to the region in which Sconce is known as the Horse Capital of Australia,” he said.
The development project is expected to deliver major economic benefit to the region, namely through significant job creation during its construction and ongoing employment opportunities once the facilities become operational.
The Jacobsen Group is no newcomers to the development game, with a long list of completed entertainment venues under its belt and another $160 million entertainment precinct currently underway in London.