Lifeline for five-star resort project

Construction of a $185 million resort at Musselroe Bay in Tasmania's far north-east is scheduled to start next year.

The project was approved by the Dorset Council seven years ago, but the original developers withdrew funding for the project in 2008.

The new developers want to develop a five-star resort with 100 hotel suites and 80 apartments, a golf course and an airstrip.

Project manager John Dingemanse says it will take five years to build.

"During construction the full-time equivalent jobs will be close to 1,000 over that period and, of course, once its operational there's going to be around about 120 onsite and probably another 130 to 150 offsite," he said.

Dorset Mayor Barry Jarvis welcomed the project and the much-needed jobs boost for the area which has been hit by the forestry downturn.

"It'll create a lot of excitement, more for the north-east it will create some economic activity and long-term sustainable jobs," he said.

"Certainly the project is designed to be very environmentally friendly and the long-term jobs, it's just a boon for the area and certainly we can't wait for it to happen."

Source: ABC News, 17 July 2013