Chiodo threatens to pull plug on Fairmont development
Fairmont development
The proposed $300 million Accor Fairmont Port Douglas resort is on the brink of collapse and developer Paul Chiodo said Port residents should not be surprised if he pulled the plug within the next few weeks.
Levelling his anger and frustration at Council’s planners for a lack of communication “and inventing excuses to make it difficult for us”, Chiodo said there is a clear message if you plan to develop in Port Douglas.
“If you are planning on developing in the town, think again. I should have heeded the warnings I received, but still decided to press ahead which I can now see was a costly mistake,” said Chiodo.
He said his dealings with the planners had not been a great experience and he expects them to recommend to Councillors to reject the application when it is next presented at an Open session of Council.
Town planners traditionally do not comment on specific developments, but their recommendations become known when the agenda is released, which is normally on the Friday afternoon before a meeting.
Mayor Kerr responds
In a lengthy statement to Newsport, and speaking on behalf of Council, Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council staff have been in constant contact with the applicant from the start and it’s disappointing that he would wish to not continue the development to an end product.
“Our planners are giving due consideration to the requirements of the Douglas Shire Planning Scheme which, amongst other things, reflects community expectations for the development of land. This planning scheme was in place long before Mr (Paul) Chiodo started and lodged his project design.
“It appears that the development sits well outside various planning scheme requirements and no amount of fancy advertising and brand marketing can change that.
“If you wish to develop in Douglas you absolutely can, but you must have regard for the requirements of the Planning Scheme and the development outcomes that are sought to be achieved. Don’t come in ignoring them and then complain when you are told no.
“Council is and always has been more than willing to work with Mr Chiodo on acceptable outcomes that will suit his needs as well as meet Douglas’s expectations.
“I certainly hope that Mr Chiodo will continue to work with planning staff to achieve a positive outcome for this region. His commitment to make something wonderful for Douglas in the presence of a Fairmont Hotel is admirable and I would hope that one wouldn’t pack up and go home just because you don’t get it all your own way.
“If Mr Chiodo pulls the pin on this project it would be extremely disappointing as the site is in desperate need of development. However, it will be because he is not willing to accommodate Douglas’s expectations, not the other way around.
“We have numerous Development Applications currently going through Council so this is by no means a death knell for developers in Douglas,” said Kerr.
Height and Bulk
Chiodo, meanwhile, who contends that he has community support with Council the only objector, revealed that he had hired Planning QC Errol Morzone – who has a speciality in Planning and Environment – to provide his opinion on some of the issues including height and bulk.
But the barrister’s advice drew no response from Council, according to Chiodo, who says he is happy to make compromises and said he had reduced the development by 30 rooms.
“What we want to do is discuss the misinterpretations of height and bulk and move forward. But Council has not been responsive and if this continues, we will pull the plug,” said Chiodo.
What is known is that the Havana site, after its $3 million demolition clean-up, is now almost certain to sit empty for an indeterminate period. The one positive is that it’s now a ‘refined’ eye sore.
Situated on 71-85 Port Douglas Road between Oaks Hotels and Resorts and the Mirage Country Club, plans for the resort included several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, all designed around resort-style pools.
Chiodo’s vision has been to provide the ultimate guest experience and as an Accor Fairmont it would have met this objective.
Vision
“Our vision is to deliver an environmental hotel that pushes the boundaries in luxury and generates unprecedented interest in, and visitorship to, the Port Douglas region.
“The construction of the hotel comes at a time when the local economy has taken a serious hit following restrictions, and we look forward to working with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, the local community and the region’s First Nations people to rebuild tourism in the region,” says Chiodo.
If the project did proceed, Queensland would receive an added $203 million in annual gross value; it will create a total of 694 jobs per annum during construction and 196 on-going jobs once complete and operational.
According to a report by Urbis, commissioned by Chiodo, the hotel will garner 128,000 annual visitor nights through tourism to the resort, resulting in an estimated $17.1 million per annum in domestic expenditure to the region and a total estimated annual guest expenditure of $21.3 million (when operational).
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