Old Watsonia site offer falls through

Plans for the old Watsonia Cheese Factory in Mt Barker to be transformed into a tourism hub have been scrapped.

The property, at Lot 462 Mitchell Street, is reportedly being looked at for purchase, with no details released yet as far as who is interested or what the property will be used for.

In November, plans were proposed for an art gallery, farmer’s and craft market, petting zoo and cafe when an offer was made to purchase the property.

Albany Prestige Reality principal director Geoff Oldfield said while mindful he could not mention any details on past or current buyers, last year’s deal had fallen through.

“There has been good interest over the years, but it just hasn’t sold,” he said. “There is generally only one reason it won’t sell.”

The factory belongs to four separate entities, which are joined as the Plantagenet Rural Project, which used the factory as a yard when the blue gum trees were in full swing.

It has been rezoned for multi-use but it still keeps its industrial zoning.

The property has been on the market for about six years and the building itself has not been used for years.