Up to 150 accommodation pods could be located at the Twelve Apostles.

The application includes a low-rise main building set in to the natural slope of the land, a series of modular hot spring bathing facilities, a spa and wellness centre and a cafe. The project would be built on Booringa Road, about one km inland from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre.

The project would also include up to 150 accommodation pods spread over the site, with 30 to be built in the first stage.

The 195 acre site is open farmland and the proposal includes on-site parking for 380 cars, about 20 buses and an onsite nursery to support re-vegetating the site.

The plans also include an outdoor amphitheater, the upgrading and sealing of Booringa Road and a specialty restaurant and bar as part of stage two.

The planning application for the resort and hot springs spa has been lodged with Corangamite Shire.

Proponents for the 12 Apostles Hot Springs and Resort said they were committed to balancing the protection of the Shipwreck Coast environment with improving visitor experience and the regional economy.

Director of Rocdon Development, Don Musto, said the proposed development would build on the substantial tourist numbers visiting the region. “Subject to planning approval, the 12 Apostles Hot Springs and Resort will encourage longer stays in the area and will help counter the seasonality of visits, which has great spin-off benefits to local employment and businesses,” he said. “It’s really important to us that this project works within its environment.”

He said they planned to employ local people for hospitality, management, therapeutic, horticultural and maintenance jobs. “We want to employ locals first, and we’re looking at options for training and workforce development in collaboration with other local organisations,” he said.

Corangamite Shire councillor Simon Illingworth said council would look at the planning application on its merits and make a decision in the future. He said there was an obvious need for high-end accommodation and investment in the region and at first glance he was grateful it was low-scale accommodation.

If approved it was estimated that construction would begin by mid 2018 with the business to open 18-months later. Council’s director of sustainable development Ian Gibb said the council would be in a position to comment once the application had been released to the public. He said the planning application was at the very early stages of the planning process and he hadn’t looked at it in any great detail yet.