You can read our complete submission here: Preserve and Protect Barossa – SBWTAP EIS Submission (PDF)

We encourage you to endorse it in your own submission if you agree with its concerns.

The document is detailed, but the Executive Summary at the start explains in plain language why this six‑storey resort is in the wrong place. It sets out why the proposal should not be approved on very high bushfire‑risk, protected rural land in the Barossa Character Preservation District and Significant Landscape Protection Overlay.

How to use this

In your own submission if you agree, you can say that you “endorse ‘Preserve and Protect Barossa’ SBWTAP EIS submission (https://PreserveAndProtectBarossa.org/PreserveAndProtectBarossa-SBWTAP-Submission.pdf)” and then add a few points in your own words about the issues that concern you most. If possible, it’s helpful to include both the link and the PDF as an attachment, you can download the PDF here but please do what is easiest for you.

1. Step 1 (critical): Send an email or postal submission
2. Step 2 (strong support): Sign the petition
3. Step 3 (optional extra): Complete the YourSAy survey

To:	spcreps@sa.gov.au
Subject:	Strategic Alliance Southern Barossa Winery and Tourism Project (SBWTAP) EIS Submission

I strongly oppose the Southern Barossa Winery and Tourist Accommodation Project (SBWTAP).

As an interested person who values the Barossa’s unique landscape and heritage, I support the “Preserve and Protect Barossa” submission available at https://PreserveAndProtectBarossa.org/PreserveAndProtectBarossa-SBWTAP-Submission.pdf and share its concerns about the resort’s location on protected rural land, in a very high bushfire risk site, with traffic and evacuation problems, impacts on housing and small businesses, risks to water, vineyards and the Barossa landscape, and the potential to undermine the region’s prospects for future World Heritage recognition.

So I respectfully ask the Minister for Planning to refuse planning approval for SBWTAP.

• State your position clearly

  For example:
  “I strongly oppose the Southern Barossa Winery and Tourist Accommodation Project (SBWTAP).”

• Say who you are

  State your first and last name. Write one or two sentences about yourself, for example:
  “I am a local resident / grape grower / small business owner / worker in the Barossa / regular visitor / interested person.”

• If you agree, Endorse the “Preserve And Protect Barossa submission document” and attach a copy

  For example:
  “I endorse the ‘Preserve and Protect Barossa’ submission document on the SBWTAP Environmental Impact Statement, (copy attached)”

  (You can download a copy of the submission document here to attach: https://PreserveAndProtectBarossa.org/PreserveAndProtectBarossa-SBWTAP-Submission.pdf)

  If you are unable to attach a copy, you could just include the link, for example:
  “I endorse the ‘Preserve and Protect Barossa’ submission document on the SBWTAP Environmental Impact Statement, available at: https://PreserveAndProtectBarossa.org/PreserveAndProtectBarossa-SBWTAP-Submission.pdf”

• Mention the issues that matter most to you

  In a few bullet points or short sentences you might refer to any of these (or other issues that concern you):

  • Loss of rural land and Barossa character in the protected Character Preservation District
  • Bushfire danger and evacuation risks from placing over 1,000 people on a “Very High” bushfire risk site with one compromised escape route
  • Impacts on housing, affordability, local jobs and small businesses if a self contained resort takes scarce construction and hospitality workers and visitor spending away from the Barossa community
  • Inadequate consultation with Traditional Owners (such as the Peramangk people) and local residents; neighbours only learnt about the project through media reports rather than direct engagement
  • Biodiversity risks to native flora and fauna from habitat loss, lighting, traffic and construction disturbance on a steep, sensitive site that has not been properly surveyed across the seasons
  • Biosecurity risks to vineyards, including phylloxera, from concentrating large visitor numbers within working vineyards rather than in townships
  • Concerns about setting a precedent that undermines long standing protections and Barossa’s World Heritage ambitions
  • Traffic, access and local road safety, including heavy vehicles and evacuation performance
  • Water, wastewater and stormwater risks on steep, erosive terrain and potential impacts on neighbours
• Add any extra points from your own experience

  For example, your experience of recent bushfire seasons, local road conditions, housing and rental pressures, small business impacts, or why Barossa's landscape preservation and protection matters to you.

• Finish with a clear recommendation

  For example: "I respectfully recommend that the Minister for Planning refuse planning approval for the Southern Barossa Winery and Tourist Accommodation Project (SBWTAP)."

How to send it

• By email (quickest and preferred)

  To:	spcreps@sa.gov.au
  Subject:	Strategic Alliance Southern Barossa Winery and Tourism Project (SBWTAP) EIS Submission

• By post
  Attention: Minister for Planning
  c/- Mr Robert Kleeman, Manager – Crown and Impact Assessment
  Department for Housing and Urban Development
  GPO BOX 1815
  ADELAIDE SA 5001

You can also add your name to the petition: "Preserve & Protect Barossa – say NO to the Southern Barossa Tourist Accommodation Project"

The petition helps demonstrate broad concern, especially to the media and decision-makers, but it does not replace an individual email or postal submission. Your own written submission in Step 1 remains the most crucial action.

Step 3 (optional extra): Complete the YourSAy survey

If you want to go further, you can also complete the government's online survey for this project.

• Go to the Barossa EIS YourSAy page and follow the link to the survey
• Briefly, in your own words, explain why you do not support the construction of SBWTAP (you can use our responses suggestions as a guide)
• If you agree, note that you endorse the "Preserve and Protect Barossa" submission and include the link to the PDF if possible: https://PreserveAndProtectBarossa.org/PreserveAndProtectBarossa-SBWTAP-Submission.pdf

This is a valuable extra avenue, but should be in addition to, not instead of, your own written submission (as per above).