Former Footy Star Has Barossa Valley Luxury Resort Blocked

POSTED ON February 16, 2026 @ 1:07 pm

The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) has officially hit the brakes on a proposed luxury golf resort in the Barossa Valley, dealing a blow to the latest venture by South Australian football legend Neville “Rocky” Roberts.

Despite scaling back the project from its original 2024 vision, Roberts saw his plans for the Sandy Creek development rejected this week following a 90-minute hearing in Adelaide.

The Decision: “Intense” Architecture vs. Rural Character

The panel’s refusal centered on the belief that the two-storey, 73-unit resort failed to mesh with the “secluded semi-rural or semi-natural” character of the Sandy Creek area.

While the design was “simplified” from a previous three-level proposal, decision-makers remained unconvinced by the aesthetic direction. Panel member John Eckert noted that while the building wasn’t “offensive” and was “nicely detailed,” the sheer density and style felt out of place.

“It’s still relatively intense; in terms of the forms [and] colours it’s quite heavily modelled… To me … it’s not necessarily ‘Australian shed’ but more almost Nordic buildings because of the sharp-nosed edges,” Eckert said during the hearing.

Project Fast Facts

The proposed getaway, situated on a 6,000sq m block adjoining the Sandy Creek golf course, was designed to be a high-end destination for the region.

Total Capacity: 73 units (51 rooms in a main building plus 22 separate villas).
Amenities: A five-star restaurant, two swimming pools, and three outdoor spa baths landscaped as “billabongs.”
Estimated Cost: Between $25 million and $30 million.
Synergy: The project included a stormwater pond to hydrate the 18-hole course and integrated hotel reception with golf club operations.

A 10-Year Vision Sidelined

For Roberts—an SANFL Hall-of-Fame with a storied career at Richmond and as South Australia’s captain—the rejection marks a frustrating end to a decade of planning. The sale of the land by the golf club was contingent on the development’s approval.

Roberts highlighted the missed opportunity for the region, citing a lack of accommodation for major events like the AFL’s Gather Round.

“It’s only a million dollars and 10 years,” Roberts remarked ironically regarding the time and capital already sunk into the project. “We have Gather Round in the Barossa now… and there’s nowhere for [visitors] to stay.”

The developer, who also operates the modular building company BoxMod, indicated he would not be pursuing the site further, stating he would instead “do something somewhere else.”