Wild flower nursey plans to build luxury resort in the Grampians

The proposed Mount Zero resort would bring a projected 20 new jobs to the Laharum area, as well as employment opportunities during construction.

The resort would feature 40 cabins, a function centre, a restaurant and cafe, and day spa, with drawings already outlined in the plan.

Australian Wildflowers managing director Jo Gardner said the project was about providing support and options to both visitors and nearby communities at the northern end of the Grampians.

"This development will add to what's available at this end of the park. Whether that's adding on a meal to your walk, or doing an overnight walk and have somewhere to come back to," Ms Gardner said.

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"There aren't a lot of options this side of the park."

The idea came about after the announcement of the Grampians Peaks Trail master plan in 2014.

The 160km Trail, which partially opened this year, is set to be fully open by 2025, and cater for up to 34,000 hikers a year, generating an estimated $6 million plus in economic output in the surrounding area.

"We were a bit intrigued because our land was right adjacent to the start of the trail. We've had it in the back of our heads to do something there ever since," Ms Gardner said.

"The aim of our project is to keep everything local. All the building will be done locally," Ms Gardner said.

At this stage, Ms Gardner said she was hoping construction will begin next year after the planning process is concluded.

Ms Gardner said the resort was intended to be "very high end" and will offer hikers and day trippers a central pivot point for their time in the park.

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"(The resort is) designed to be a place where people can come, and there'll be a reception area where you can get information about the trail or meet your guide or any of those kinds of things," she said.

"It's really to provide support for this end of the Grampians and provide some information, while also to be somewhere nice where daytrippers can come in and have a cup of tea after a walk, or take the family out for dinner."

The resort would complement the northern end of the Grampians as Dunkeld does in the south, Ms Gardner said.

"I think we're a bit unknown this side of the mountains...(The resort) will really open it up, give it a top and a tail. Dunkeld does the same for the southern half of the Grampians.

"If we can provide something that compliments that approach at the northern end, then it provides that complete package that allows people to move right through with different experiences

The proposal is currently available for public consultation on the Horsham Rural City Council website.

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