A rainforest walk connecting Macrossan Street to the marina, waterfront residences including 80 new apartments and townhouses, and a new live entertainment venue complete with stage headline an $85 million development application lodged with the Douglas Shire Council.

In a landmark moment, the team behind The Reef Marina has given a detailed outline of its Port Douglas waterfront makeover set to pump close to $600 million into the local economy over 30 years.

The Slipway, which has been one of the main talking points surrounding the waterfront development, does not form part of the development application meaning it’s business as usual at the site.

 
The Reef Marina’s Andrew Hooper-Nguyen said today’s lodgment was a significant step in their plans to enhance Port Douglas as an international tourist mecca.

“This is the largest proposed investment Port Douglas has seen in almost three decades and will build on our efforts to rejuvenate the Marina,” Hooper-Nguyen said.

“(The Reef Marina) has already seen a full retail refurbishment, landscaping, new entertainment offerings including Hemingway’s Brewery, The Boat House and Barbados and the super yacht expansion since work began in 2014.”

FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION

• Rainforest walk: A lush landscaped walkway generating strong pedestrian connectivity between the Marina and town centre.

• The Boardwalk: a publicly accessible timber boardwalk spanning the entire waterfront, featuring public art, seating, shading, viewing stages, restaurants, cafes and other retail outlets.

• The Green: A grassed area at the southern end, transformed into a showcase venue for live music and events utilising a new architecturally designed pavilion, complete with stage.

• The Reef Residences: Will include five townhouses, 49 apartments, 26 dual-key apartments targeting short-stay visitors and space for dining and entertainment. Stunning ocean and mountain views, a waterfront swimming pool, gym, residents’ lounge, 24-hour reception and concierge service and onsite car parking will also be available for residents.

View the The Reef Marina's full development application

Hooper-Nguyen said ‘at the very heart’ of their design was preserving the unique attributes that make Port Douglas such an alluring destination. As such, no building would exceed three stories or ‘the size of a palm tree’.

This is welcome news to sections of the community concerned at the size of the new development, with many associating it with high-rise type structures.

“The architectural form draws on the rich local heritage with simple roof shapes, stepping of structures to relate to the pedestrian scale, gables, window shading, plenty of landscaping and the retention of historical features,” he said.

“These include the ornate arches from the northern wing of the existing Marina building, which will be removed as part of the development process, the timber piles along Dickson Inlet and the On The Inlet over-water dining platform and weigh station.”

The Douglas Shire Council confirmed the development application was officially under assessment, but were unable to give detailed commentary while it's in this stage.

Council’s Sustainable Communities team will now work through a process, which involves referring some aspects of the application to the State Government for assessment, and liaising with The Reef Marina if more information is required.

"Depending on the complexity and compliance of the DA (development application), this planning assessment process may be completed by the end of this year or it may take several months," Mayor Julia Leu said.

"Once the planning assessment is completed by Council Officers, a report will be prepared for an Ordinary Council Meeting where Council will make a determination on the DA.

"As this DA has now been officially lodged and is currently being assessed by Council, in accordance with the statutory planning legislation, it would be inappropriate to make further comment at this stage."

The Reef Marina also plan to build 32 extra marina berths and cruise ship tender dock in combination with the development, with fishing trawlers invited to berth at the new facility within the Duck Pond.

"This development is about creating new residential space, new commercial opportunities and ultimately greater tourism capacity,” Hooper-Nguyen said.

“Flexible open spaces will allow for both public and private recreational use for cultural community activities and markets, while the boardwalk along the waterfront will showcase the amazing views and link to surrounding parklands.”

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