The Metung Hot Springs project has not been halted by coronaviurus restrictions.
The team behind the hot springs have made the most of the time in lockdown and started work on cleaning up the site.
Dead tree and weed removal kept locals Adrian and Rachel Bromage, along with their families, busy over the past few months.
With more than 3000 trees being planted this month, and gates erected at properties abutting the hot springs, the green surrounds of the future Metung hot springs site have been defined.
The group is close to finalising the financial arrangements to enable stage one of the project to proceed and are hopeful of having a pop up hot spring open for Christmas this year.
All required permits are in place for the project to begin.
At the end of 2019 the 500 metre deep bore on the site was redeveloped and produced 45 degree geothermal mineral water.
Xavier Bromage was the first person to bathe in the hot springs waters since the original Metung hot springs closed in the early 1990s.
“East Gippsland has had a tough time with drought, fires and a pandemic. The Metung Hot Springs development will bring a much-needed boost to the local visitor economy,” Rachel said.
“Seasonality has always been a big issue for East Gippsland. With the hot springs being a year-round attraction, it will bring a flowon benefit for the whole region.”
A marina with lakeside bathing, saunas (floating and on the escarpment), hot pools with sweeping views over Lake King and a reflexology walk are some of the offerings in stage one of the project.
It is estimated that 70 jobs will be created at the completion of stage one plus an additional 50 jobs during construction.
IMAGE: An aerial view of the Metung Hot Springs site, outlined by the thousands of trees planted over the past week.
