TIGHTLIPPED: Billionaire quiet about any future re-development of Crystalbrook Superyacht marina in Port Douglas

WHAT'S NEXT?

Michael Warren

Editor

Email Michael
Last updated:
Port Douglas marina owner and Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud. Picture: Michael Warren

For many years Crystalbrook Superyacht marina has stood as a proud centrepiece and key economic beacon for the Douglas Shire.

As the State’s most Northern point marina and full-service slipway Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina serves as the gateway for tourists and locals alike keen to experience once in a lifetime trips to the Great Barrier Reef.

It is also home to a number of shops and bars, like the popular Hemingway’s Brewery.

Over the years, however, Newsport has listened to an increasing number of locals who have wanted to talk to us about the visual and aesthetic look of the location.

A repeated sentiment is that it’s looking rundown, delipidated and in much need of a complete revamp, refurb and spruce up.

Others have suggested brand new shops, restaurants and additional community activations within the vicinity to draw more regular and increased walking traffic to the area.

As a key showpiece of Douglas, the future development of the marina is something that is definitely worthy of local discussion.

 

Just days ago Newsport emailed Crystalbrook Collection marketing and communications staffer Belinda Danks-Woodley with a list of questions for Crystalbrook Collection owner and Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud.

Our questions were then forwarded to Crystal Collection marketing group director Melissa Gruse who offered a limited response to our questions.

“Thank you for reaching out regarding the Port Douglas Marina,” Ms Gruse said.

“All Crystalbrook Collection assets and properties are always under ongoing review.

“If we have anything to share in future, we will be in touch.”

---

Questions to Crystalbrook Collection about any future re-development of Port Douglas marina

Q1: Many Douglas residents say Port Douglas Crystalbrook Marina is outdated, rundown and in need of a dire makeover, physical improvements. As the marina owner does Ghassan have plans to upgrade, refurb or improve the marina over the next 6-12 months? If so, can you please explain, detail what these plans entail and look like? 

Q2: If not now, does Ghassan have confirmed future plans to upgrade the marina at any point over the next 12 -24 months? what do those plans look like?

Q3: There's been unofficial murmurs that Ghassan is looking to sell Crystalbrook Marina, can you please confirm, or deny these public rumours?

Q4: What is Ghassan's plans for the marina over the next 5 years? what are the projects that he wants to see happen at Crystabrook marina in the future?

Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.

Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.

* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.