RECORD numbers of development applications over the past 18 months is seeing New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley reinvigorated, says Mayor Ben Shaw.

“We’ve been seeing huge growth over the last couple of years, you can really feel the buzz,’’ Mr Shaw said.

“You just need to look around at all the work already under way across the Derwent Valley.

“Council has been seeing record numbers of Development Applications consistently over the last 18 months.

“We’ve got the hundreds of houses already being built in the previous Gateway Estate which The Mills has taken over.

“We have multiple sub-divisions under way across the Valley, a new water treatment plant at Bryn Estyn, the growth and continuing development at Willow Court, and The Mills development itself.

“All of this work has created jobs for local people, plus the number of new jobs that will be created with this hotel, not only during the construction, but once it opens, we’ll have customer service, house keeping and hotel staff, food and beverage, gardening, cleaning, the list goes on. “It’s absolutely staggering.’’

At last month’s Council meeting the hotel component of the $500 million The Mills project was approved, as reported in the Gazette last week.

The new five-story development for visitor accommodation is based in the grounds of the former Royal Derwent Hospital.

The hotel will include 100 guest rooms, a restaurant, function room, bar and lounge/casual dining area, a rooftop pool and gymnasium.

Other parts of the development include 700 housing properties, a 200-lot retirement estate, 100-bed hospital, and Childcare Centre, chapel, farmers market and central, neighborhood park.

** Feature picture; The Mills Hotel Concept- credit Kenton Cox Architect **