A developer’s proposal to change the face of Encounter Bay has attracted state-wide attention today, Thursday 2 March.

Mark Taplin, who has lived in the Victor Harbor area for many years, wants to develop an estimated $350 million marina, apartment, hotel and convention centre project near The Bluff.

He has been promoting the idea on social media and in local newspapers for some time, despite not owning the land nor having the finance to build the project.

Mr Taplin told ABC radio this morning that despite Victor Harbor attracting many tourists there was nothing to do in the town.

He says his idea would bring a slice of the French Riviera to the south coast, with waterfront boardwalk cafes and restaurants overlooking a marina and a big new beach with barbecues and seating, 

“Apartments, hotel, 1000 seat convention centre with bowling alley, picture theatre, kidzone, roller skating, live music venue, protected beach for snorkelling, expanded fishing. 

“Nothing will be built on the Bluff, and the development will be on excavated grounds behind and below the current Whalers Apartments.”

The proposed development site is Crown Land, which would require the state government to release it.

Mr Taplin told ABC radio that he would tap in to Federal government tourism grants to fund the project.

The City of Victor Harbor has recently drafted a 20-year Master Plan for The Bluff, which has been through extensive community consultation and will be finalised this year.

Mayor Moira Jenkins says while the town could benefit from new hotels and a convention centre, The Bluff is not the right location for such facilities.

She told ABC radio that the local community had made it very clear they wanted the wild aspects of the area preserved.

David Basham, local MP for Finniss, says he does not support the project, telling ABC radio that the proposal would require digging out a section of The Bluff to build out into the bay. 

Deputy Premier and Environment Minister Susan Close says she is not aware of any formal development proposal for The Bluff project.

"I would never rule out any idea, but there's a lot of work to be done, including getting council on side."