Roadworks on Roennfeldt Road at Marananga are robbing some wineries of any new business from the influx of football fans and tourists to the region as part of AFL Gather Round.
Matt Reynolds, general manager of Aulian Wines, has written to Member for Schubert Ashton Hurn, blasting Light Regional Council for the timing of the roadworks and a lack of communication.
“With millions of dollars having been spent by local and state governments in securing and marketing Gather Round, with the sole purpose of increasing visitation to the Barossa, we were astounded to find Roennfeldt Road closed to traffic from both sides of the Schubert Estate Wine Room and Accommodation on Thursday 10 April,” Reynolds writes.
“The road is closed again today (Friday) and will be again on Monday, rendering our Wine Room closed for business during the entire Gather Round period.
“This was done with no communication or consultation with businesses along Roennfeldt Road which would’ve given us prior warning and the opportunity to raise concerns or to plan alternative business operations.
“Not only has the roadworks prohibited visitation to our wine room, it has affected the five-star experience for guests staying in our accommodation who have chosen to spend full days away from the property rather than enjoying the peaceful, relaxed experience we promote on the estate.
“We pride ourselves on being Barossa’s highest-rated accommodation on AirBnB with a flawless record of five-star reviews and have concerns that without having been able to forewarn guests and provide compensation, this may tarnish the record.”
AFL Gather Round includes the Barossa for the first time this year, with sold-out games at Lyndoch on Saturday and Sunday.
Reynolds has made contact with Acting Mayor Michael Phillips-Ryder and employees of Light Regional Council in an attempt to gather information and has expressed to them his disbelief that this has been allowed to happen during Gather Round.
“We appreciate the need to maintain road infrastructure and the constraints of working within contractors’ availability, but the lack of communication and timing has destroyed Schubert Estate’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities Gather Round has brought to the community and local businesses,” Reynolds says.
“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further, and appreciate any representation you could give us to ensure our concerns are heard and appropriate actions taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again to ourselves or any other local businesses.”
In an email to Reynolds seen by WBM, Michael Phillips-Ryder said, “I discussed this with the Council yesterday and understood the road would be open today. I will follow up.”
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