Reject Fairmont project say town planners

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Fairmont Development

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Last updated: 24/09/2021, 14:06:00 (AEST)

Long considered the town's premier eye sore, the vacant land between Oaks Hotels and Resorts and the Mirage Country Club has received another setback with Council's town planners recommending Councillors reject the Fairmont proposal. Is this the end of the road for what will continue to be the town's most notable eye sore? Image: Jamie Jansen

Douglas Shire Council town planners have recommended that Councillors refuse the Development Application for a Material Change of Use (Resort Complex) for the proposed $300 million Accor Fairmont project.

This recommendation is an agenda item and will be tabled at Tuesday’s Open Session at Council Chambers in Mossman.

The town planners have based their findings on 18 planning grounds, some of which include:

(1) The proposal conflicts with Strategic Intent Reinforcing Douglas Shire’s Sense of Place and Identity as the Development represents an over-scaled and over development of the site that has little local context or character.

(2) The proposal conflicts with Theme 4- Strong Communities and Identity from the Strategic Framework, in particular the proposal does not maintain the distinctive character and unique sense of place that represents Port Douglas.

(3) The proposal conflicts with the Overall Outcomes of the Tourist Accommodation Zone Code;
a. The proposal is not of an appropriate scale; and
b. Does not achieve an attractive built form which incorporates the character of the site and surrounding area.

(4) The proposal Conflicts with Performance Criteria P01 (Height) of the Tourist Accommodation Zone;
a. The height of the building and structures is not in keeping with the residential character of the area.

(5) The proposal conflicts with the Performance Criteria P01 (Setbacks) of the Tourist Accommodation Zone;
a. The setbacks of the proposal do not maintain the character and amenity of the area.

In the Executive Summary, it is revealed that the application seeks approval for Australia’s first Fairmont resort with 253 rooms, food and drink outlets, function facilities, basement car parking and recreation facilities configured within a single building at up to six storeys in height.

The applicant’s economic benefit report claims that the $278m construction will create 694 jobs per annum over two years and will total $203m in gross value added to the State economy per annum over the same period with 196 ongoing jobs supported on site.

It adds: “The proposed development is non-compliant with a significant number of planning scheme components due to its height, length, site cover, setbacks, bulk, scale and provision of facilities rendering it inconsistent with the character of the area.

“The proposal is in conflict with the planning intent for the site and locality and is recommended for refusal.”

Legal expenses former CEO

This is an agenda item, but no information is provided.

Agenda items

3.1 Mayoral Minute – Employee Recognition Awards 2021
5.1 Prelodgement Planning Scheme Variation And ROL (1 Into 8 Lots) 22 Mountain View Drive Shannonvale
5.2 Material Change Of Use For Resort Complex At 71-85 Port Douglas Rd Port Douglas-compressed
5.3 Contract For Domestic Violence Or Community Housing Unit Development Mossman
5.4 Contract For Sewerage Pump Station Switchboard Renewal Project
5.5 Contract 2021-065 – Landfill Waste Cartage & Disposal
5.6 Foreshore Management Plans

5.7 FNQROC Strategic Regional WMMR Advisory Group – Appointment Of Elected Member Representative
5.8 Douglas Chamber Of Commerce Resource & Performance Agreement 2021-2024
5.9 Mossman State High School Sponsorship
5.10 RV Park Mossman Business Case
5.11 Wonga Beach Caravan Park Caretakers Management Agreement
5.12 Port Shorts Film Festival – Amendment To Resource And Performance Agreement
5.13 Request For Funding – Taste Port Douglas
5.14 Covid Relief Fee Reduction For Port Douglas Market Stallholders
5.15 Financial Report August 2021
5.16 Daintree Ferry Advisory Committee
5.17 Building Douglas Standing Committee
5.18 Legal Expenses Former CEO
6.1 Notice Of Motion – Options For Council To Develop Retirement Style Living Houses
To access the agenda, go to: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/council-meetings/#Agenda