Eco Resort Closes Doors

Newcastle Herald

Saturday December 6, 2008

By PAUL MAGUIRE Upper Hunter Reporter

AWARD-winning Gloucester resort, Hookes Creek Forest Retreat, has been closed and is in the hands of a financial administrator.

Gloucester Shire Council Mayor Julie Lyford said this week that although reasons for the closure had not been made public, she hoped that the business could be reopened.

Despite several attempts during the past three weeks, The Herald has been unable to obtain comment from Sydney-based administrator Ron Dean-Wilcocks or Hookes Creek owner, Sydney businessman Paul Kenny.

The 776-hectare property at the base of the Barrington Tops National Park has a homestead, which offered family accommodation, 10 luxury cedar cabins, a restaurant, tennis court and swimming pool.

The resort won the 2003 Hunter Region Excellence in Tourism award for unique accommodation.

Mr Kenny and his wife, Jenny, bought the property in September 1998 for $2.5 million.

It was offered for sale in June 2006 with the expectation of making $3.25 million.

Mr Kenny told The Herald at the time that he was selling up as he had just turned 50 and wanted to sit and plan the next stage of his life.

Cr Lyford said this week that Hookes Creek was the shire's only eco-tourism, luxury accommodation venue and its closure was a blow to the economy.

"The shire earns $28 million a year from tourism, and Hookes Creek was a substantial contributor to the area's flow-on tourism income," Cr Lyford said.

"Its closure also means some locals have lost their jobs.

"It was a lovely and unique attraction, not only for people from other areas but many locals enjoyed going there for dinner and often stayed the night, so I look forward to a positive outcome where a purchaser can re-open it and bring it back to its former glory at the forefront of eco-tourism."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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