Historic Onslow hotel to get new life

Diversified industrial services firm Complete Group has expanded its North West property portfolio, acquiring the Beadon Bay Hotel in Onslow and unveiling a substantial redevelopment plan.

Complete Group managing director Emanuel Dillon told Business News the company would invest $11 million to redevelop the existing hotel, which was built in 1924, and expand the facility to 80 rooms.

Mr Dillon said nothing had been spent on the hotel, which is the town’s most historic building, for the past 30 years.

The new rooms will be situated in a new three-storey building that will be built in a modular fashion, with modules set to be built at the company’s Wattleup manufacturing facility before being shipped to Onslow.

Construction is expected to begin on site in December, pending planning approval, with the hotel set to be complete midway through next year.

Amenities proposed for the hotel include a new restaurant upstairs, a sports bar downstairs and an expansive beer garden.

“It’s not going to be exactly like the Brisbane Hotel, but that’s the style of hotel we’re modelling it on,” Mr Dillon said.

“We’ll have big screen TVs, a nice beer garden with wooden decking, and all the things you’d expect in a good Perth pub.”

Mr Dillon said the acquisition and subsequent redevelopment plan was another step in the company’s diversification to ensure it was not completely reliant on the resources or housing construction sectors.

The acquisition also follows Complete’s purchase and redevelopment of Derby’s Spinifex Hotel in 2013.

“Complete group will continue to seek out hotels in underdeveloped small community towns with a view to make an impact across regional WA – delivering the same level of facilities and entertainment as we enjoy in Perth to the North West,” Mr Dillon said.

“Our long term plan is to enhance tourism in the region, to take advantage of people wanting to come here for fishing and excellent weather.”

“If you run a good show and you’re disciplined, it’s hard to get a hotel development wrong and everyone benefits.

“We’re very excited about the project in Onslow.”