Development News

Game changing decision

by council will bring surfing to FNQ

Port Douglas Shire Council has approved a 164-room hotel and resort, featuring a wave pool, freshwater swimming lagoon, aqua park, and 90 selfcontained villas and surf cabins on the Captain Cook Highway, south of the Mowbray River.

The development, spear-headed by local businesses NorthBreak Developments and Hunt Design, is expected to inject more than $117.5 million worth of wages into the local economy over the construction period. Once operational, Northbreak estimates the resort will create 740 full time jobs, attract 128,680 visitor nights and generate $79.2m in direct expenditure each year. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the wave park would be a catalyst for a new era of tourism in Port Douglas and Daintree. “This transformative project will significantly lift summer tourism by creating a world-class surfing experience and year-round swimming option down the road from Port Douglas,” he said. “With no recognised surf breaks in the tropics, Council believes this once-in-a-generation development will attract a wave of new visitors and keep our beautiful pocket of the world at the forefront of travellers’ minds.”

“The wave park fits in nicely with our sports tourism focus and is perfectly positioned in the Mowbray Valley to complement the Wangetti Trail development.” Council’s planning team has worked closely with NorthBreak and Hunt Design on the development application since late-2020. The applicant has committed to a range of sustainability initiatives such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting and landscaping. NorthBreak is also required to meet their obligations to offset their demands on Council’s water supply and sewer network, as well as contributing towards planned trunk infrastructure to service the Shire.

Mayor Kerr said the wave park development would play a vital role in helping the region recover from the economic shocks felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.“A key goal of our 2021-2024 Economic Development Strategy is to expand and diversify our tourism offering, particularly by capitalising on lucrative sports tourism and adventure markets,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate the applicants and our planning team for the immense amount of work put into this game-changing project.”

Glenn Piper with his family at Hook Island. Photography: Steven Woodburn

A new eco resort promises a new lease of life for Hook Island

Founder and CEO of Meridian Australia, Publican and Director at Harbord Hotel, Glenn Piper has acquired the leasehold Whitsundays’ spectacular Hook Island. The landmark sale will see Piper give the holiday destination, devastated by cyclones in 2011 and 2017, a new lease of life, as he transforms the property into a new world-class eco-lodge, with food and beverage at the heart of the experience. Hook Island, nestled between Hayman Island and Whitsunday Island, is a stunning idyll of lush national park, picturesque bays, secluded beaches, abundant wildlife and pristine fringe reefs. Since the closure of the popular holiday resort Hook Island Lodge in 2013, visitors have been restricted to the reefs around the island enjoying the beauty of the waters. Now a blank canvas, the expansive 9.3-hectare area with an enviable water frontage and two private beaches property, will be given a new lease of life as a world class eco resort, with a food & beverage experience to rival the best in the world. This will be the only private operation on the island and will welcome the first visitors to the island in a decade.

Glenn Piper said: “There’s nothing quite like it. Very few locations in the world can offer this level of natural wonder. I want to create an experience that befits the beauty of the Island, and the Whitsundays - respectfully and sustainably. I’m energised at the thought of creating a world class hospitality experience for this slice of paradise and cannot wait for the first guest to step onto the sand”. Having recently taken on the leasehold of Q Station, which sits on 30 hectares

Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney Airport. Image Supplied. on the headland on Sydney’s Northern beaches, Piper is committed to delivering and respecting iconic venues that hero Australian beach culture.

“It is a great privilege to act as the custodian of these sites and to preserve the rich history that each embodies. With it comes a huge responsibility and there are important environmental, historic and local factors to consider. We are currently in the process of extensive research and consultation as part of the work on Q Station and will soon begin a similar process for Hook Island; it is incredibly rewarding and inspiring to uncover the stories and facets that will shape its future”. The Hook Island acquisition closely follows Piper’s recent purchase of the Merewether Beach Hotel, an iconic beachside institution in Newcastle, as well as the transformation of the Harbord Hotel in Sydney’s Freshwater. All four properties have a close affinity to Australia’s coastline which Glenn holds close to his heart.

“Whilst each property has its own unique soul and character, they all have a deep connection to water, rich history and community significance. I’m guided by an unwavering commitment to create experiences that live up to and celebrate their spectacular settings and have a meaningful place within their respective communities”. Whitsunday Regional Council’s Acting Major, Mike Brunker, said of the acquisition “Council always welcomes investment in new tourism products and experiences to enhance the already unique portfolio of what the Whitsundays has to offer”. Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton also welcomed the development commenting that “The new eco resort will further enhance the reputation of The Whitsundays and Queensland both domestically and internationally as the must do destination in Australia”.

Piper has partnered with a small syndicate of investors on the purchase. He will receive the keys in August and will immediately commence his research and consultancy process to inform the future vision and concept for Hook Island.

Sunshine Coast developer Scott Juniper’s Cube Developments has been given the green light

It has been reported that a $75-million beachfront residential project with six penthouse apartments, has been given approval by the Sunshine Coast Council. The six-storey, 56-apartment development, Oasis will sit on the last remaining development site in Bokarina Beach between Caloundra and Mooloolaba.

Juniper told The Urban Developer construction was expected to begin by late September with completion due in early 2024. Marriott International has signed an agreement with 1990 Developments Pty Ltd to open the Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney Airport, the first hotel expected to open in the Aerotropolis at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. Construction on the AU$70 million 200key hotel is anticipated to be completed in 2026, to coincide with the opening of Sydney’s second international airport. The Aerotropolis will serve as a hub of industry and innovation, attracting local and global companies drawn to the enormous potential of the Western Parkland City and the airport that serves it. Richard Crawford, Vice President, Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International said: “Western Sydney International Airport is one of Australia’s most important infrastructure projects, and today we are delighted to announce the first hotel to be part of the new Aerotropolis.” The new-build Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney Airport will be designed by leading multidisciplinary architecture, design and urban planning firm, Hassell Architects. The hotel is expected to feature 200 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, café & bar. Additional plans call for a well-equipped fitness center and 580 square-meters of meeting and ballroom space. Following a competitive operator selection process conducted by global commercial real estate and investment company CBRE Group, Marriott International was awarded a long-term Hotel Management Agreement to operate the first international hotel brand in the region. Courtyard by Marriott Western Sydney will be developed and owned by 1990 Developments Pty Ltd (controlled by the ASX listed Maas Group Holdings and Gibb Group). “We have been developing commercial, industrial and large format retail property for more than 12 years and are now very excited about being a new entrant to the hotel sector. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Marriott International on our first development and look forward to expanding our involvement with this market-leading company,” said Matt Gibb, Gibb Group Managing Director. “We look forward to being a part of delivering what is likely to be the first hotel servicing the Western Sydney International Airport. Our Architects Hassell and our in-house delivery team welcome the challenge of now designing and developing a most recognisable, yet functional hotel that Sydney’s travellers will benefit from for many years to come” said Matthew Thiselton, Gibb Group’s National Director of Development.