Roche Group to extend Hunter Valley footprint with new resort

A $30 million resort is set to be built in Pokolbin in NSW’s Hunter Valley.

Roche Group has submitted plans to Cessnock City Council for a resort complex to be built alongside Harrigan’s Irish Pub.

Harrigan's is one of the region’s most popular hospitality venues and was purchased by Roche Group in 1998.

Roche renamed it from the Tallawanta Hotel in 2000 and proceeded to build multiple hotels carrying the Harrigan's name.

The resort would feature accommodation on 3.5 hectares of land including 96 units, a wellness centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, multipurpose entertainment area, village greens, parking lots and other related facilities.

The resort would complement the region’s 48 motels and the nearby Mercure Resort and would be adjacent to the Roche owned Hunter Valley Gardens.

There is an increasing number of visitors to the Hunter Valley and a resort that would include 62 serviced apartments and 34 hotel rooms, would meet the growing need.

"The additional tourist and visitor accommodation will provide greater opportunities for tourists to stay overnight or have longer stays in the region and assist in growing the visitor economy," Roche Group's planning documents state.

The resort would attract domestic tourists to make up for the loss of international visitors to the region.

The plans are public exhibition until 31 May.

27th May 2021