$317m surf park slated for Port Douglas

The Beach Boys’ 1960s hit, Lets Go Surfin’ Now, may get the odd mention (or melody) in the offices of the Douglas Shire Council Planners when they begin reviewing one of the most exciting development applications in more than 30 years.

And if approved, it will complement another significant development which is also expected to be completed within two years.

An estimated $317m surf park, which will produce man-made waves, to be known as NorthBreak and located in the Mowbray Valley (5640 Captain Cook Highway, Mowbray) in close proximity to the Wangetti Trail, is part of a proposal that involves the establishment of a tourist resort, comprising a number of elements, including:

• A wave park;
• Ancillary facilities including a freshwater swimming lagoon and aqua park;
• A hotel complex, comprising circa 160-room short-term accommodation units;
• A village precinct, comprising shops, food and drink outlets;
• A self-contained housing precinct, comprising a maximum of 90 self-contained dwelling units that may be attached and/or detached;
• A tourist park, comprising self-contained cabins (about 35 cabins);
• Helipads;
• On-site effluent treatment facility; and a
• Caretaker’s residence.
  
  

The construction phase of the project, at an estimated cost of $317.3m, will generate:

• 1,247 full time equivalent jobs, of which 453 will be direct (i.e. on site), and 794 indirect (i.e. supply chain), and
• generate $117.5m in wages over the two year construction period, the majority of which will go to regional residents.

Upon commencement of operations, the project will:

• attract 128,680 visitor nights to the facility;
• generate $79.2M direct expenditure into the region;
• generate an estimated 740 full time jobs per annum, 644 as direct and 96 indirect jobs; and
• generate $36m annually in wages and salaries, mainly for local residents (courtesy RPS Economists).

Detailed analysis

The Development Application was presented to Council last week and in preparing the development concept, the study team led by Mowbray Valley-based Hunt Design – the master planners and architects – undertook a detailed analysis of a broad range of site issues considered relevant to the proposed development.

According to the DA, prepared by developer David Imgraben, it included an economic analysis (undertaken by RPS Economists), of project costs and benefits, environmental and engineering constraints and opportunities, agricultural land suitability assessment, site flooding, access, and service provision. The results of these studies have been used to inform and guide the concept design and layout of the proposed development.

The surf park resort application comes hot on the heels of a $300 million luxury five-star resort on the former Havana resort project between Oaks Hotels and Resorts and the Mirage Country Club.

Melbourne-based developer Chiodo Corp has partnered with hotel brand, Accor Fairmont, who is set to be the operator of the 253-room Fairmont Port Douglas.

The site which has sat dormant for more than a decade is currently been cleared. Once construction is complete, it will include several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, and all-designed around resort-style pools.

The wave pool will clearly be the key attraction and highlights why NorthBreak Port Douglas is a next generation resort development set to redefine tourism in Far North Queensland.

To get a better understanding, the technology allows it to generate a wave every 8-12 seconds and ride lengths can last up to 26 seconds.

Wave pools are also a global phenomenon right now and the sport continues to grow.

Kelly Slater

In a 2014 video, world renowned surfer Kelly Slater is seen carving up a two metre high wave at his Surf Ranch located 100 miles inland from the ocean. This was the catalyst for creating the best artificial waves.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the concept is amazing and would fill a massive hole in our tourism market for the younger generations.

“It will fit in well with our sports tourism focus and once the Wangetti Trail is complete, locals and tourists would be able to walk or ride their bikes to the proposed Surf Park,” said Kerr.

But Kerr did not miss out on the fact that there will be those who will support the idea and those that don’t.

“At the end of the day it will be based on their application under the various schemes and planning layers and then on the advice of the officers that are specialists in the planning fields.”

In revealing that he and Council CEO Mark Stoermer had met last year with Hunt when the initial concept idea was brought forward, Kerr said the DA will follow a formal procedure that is in-line with any laws or conditions that need to be addressed. “If community consultation is one of those then I am sure that it will occur.”

Kerr said he has seen these parks before and believes that it would be extremely popular.

“I have no doubt that this type of facility would be very well accepted by those who love surfing, but are unable to do so at our beaches.

“I also believe that this would be an ideal location for a project of this size, and nature. It is accessible without being on the doorstep of residents.”

Developer Imgraben

Developer David Imgraben said NorthBreak will be a major infrastructure asset for Port and the whole FNQ region for that matter.

“Being at the grass roots level of chatting with visitors to the area in my own businesses for the last 30-odd years in Port, there is a repetitive story I hear, or the same questions I hear with so many of them: “Where do you surf around here?” “Are my kids safe from crocodiles if they swim at the beach?” “When does the stinger season finish” “What, you can’t swim at the beach in the summer?” I know we have all fielded the same questions, many times over,” he said.

Imgraben said many of the perceived issues or unique aspects of our region can sometimes be a real deterrent in attracting visitors to this area.

It is therefore fitting that Initial criteria for this proposal included:

• The ability for visitors (and locals) to be able to experience water activities 365 days a year without the associated fears of crocs and stingers;
• A new activity for the region that won’t take from the mouths of existing operators; and
• Something that may help promote visitation during the traditionally ‘quiet‘ or off-peak season times.

Imgraben said if NorthBreak is approved, it will be a massive catalyst in helping to refocus attention on Port Douglas and the whole FNQ region, as a the no1 and premium holiday destination in the country.

“Local people all know this already, but the rest of the country could do with a reminder.

“It is going to encourage visitation all year round, helping to flatten out seasonality.

Wave pools are a global growth phenomenon and this one will attract international attention in the adventure tourism sector, especially with its connection to the new Wangetti Trail, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Daintree Rainforest.”

He added that the Wave Pool is the focal point and it is possible that they may be generating surf-able waves around 12 months post DA approval.