By Belinda Nolan
Star can reveal that discussions are underway to shut down the hotel and turn its rooms into residential apartments to be sold off to the public, capitalising on the suburb’s population boom.
The hotel’s owners last month convened a meeting to decide on its future, with a second conference scheduled for this Thursday.
Hotel planning consultants have been in discussions with Melton Shire Council officers over the proposal.
Bob Baggio, the council’s planning manager, last week confirmed he expected to receive a formal planning permit application for the development in the near future.
“Council officers have had recent discussions with planning consultants for the hotel about its proposal to change the use to residential apartments,” Mr Baggio said.
“We are expecting a formal planning proposal to be lodged with council for consideration in the near future.
“Council has yet to consider the proposal.”
Located on Caroline Springs Boulevard, the hotel has been open for less than two years and boasts 104 rooms, a restaurant and conferencing facilities.
It is first of two hotels to open its doors in the suburb, with the nearby WestWaters Hotel unveiled late last year.
Mercure spokesman John Barnett remained tight-lipped about the plans, but confirmed that there would be “changes” at the hotel.
Mr Barnett told Star contract negotiations were underway and the hotel would be “reorganised and re-fitted.”
