A MULTI-million dollar project to be built near the 12 Apostles has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Twelve Apostles Hot Springs and Resort was approved by Corangamite Shire in late 2017.
Ernst and Young Real Estate director Luke Mackintosh said it was in the process of looking for capital partners but had been delayed by the state border closures.
He said there had been very strong interest in the project.
"Finalising interest has been delayed by the border closures," he said.
He said most interest had come from interstate investors.
Mr Mackintosh said the project would be iconic for the region.
"There are five million people that come each year but there is nothing to lure them to stay once they've visited the Twelve Apostles," he said.
"Not only will it create a lot of jobs but visitors will stay in the region."
In 2017 The Standard reported the resort would be located on Booringa Road about 1.2-kilometres from the Twelve Apostles Visitor Information Centre
The project would be built over three stages and include a low-rise main building, a series of modular hot springs bathing facilities, a wellness centre and restaurant. Thirty of 150 accommodation pods would be built in the first stage.
The 78-hectare site will have on-site parking and a nursery to help re-vegetate the site, as well as a kitchen garden and sustainability inclusions such as solar panels.
At the time councillor Ruth Gstrein said the design was cutting edge and sympathetic to the site.
"This is what we need along the coast. This is what Corangamite Shire needs to encourage people to stay and increase the yield of tourism," she said.
"This could be the beginning of a very strong tourism future around the Port Campbell and Great Ocean Road areas."
Cr Helen Durant said it was an ambitious project that would encourage overnight stays and break the "deadly day-trip cycle we seem to be stuck with".
"This sort of tourism product has been sorely lacking in Corangamite," she said.
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