Overwhelming support for $317m wave park
Residents react to plan
The $317 million NorthBreak wave park, which was approved by Council at last Tuesday’s Open session in Council Chambers, has been overwhelmingly received by the majority of the town’s residents and Newsport readers.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr was still buoyant today when he said he had only received positive comments in what is being described as a “remarkable” and a “once-in-a-generation” project.
The superlatives were not spared by the Councillors who marvelled at the concept saying it will fill a gap; it will be a lifetime facility for the region; and will be a huge boost for tourism.
The NorthBreak wave park will be located on the outskirts of the Mowbray Valley and near the entrance to Trezise Road off the Captain Cook Highway and received unanimous approval by Douglas Shire councillors.
Among its features, it will have a 164-room hotel and resort featuring a wave pool, freshwater swimming lagoon, aqua park, 90 self-contained villas and surf cabins.
Spin-offs
The development, spearheaded by local businesses NorthBreak Developments and Hunt Design, is expected to inject more than $117.5 million worth of wages into the local economy over the construction period.
Once operational, NorthBreak estimates the resort will create 740 full time jobs, attract 128,680 visitor nights and generate $79.2m in direct expenditure each year.
Of the comments received, phrases such as “great news”, “fantastic”, “just what the youth need”, among others.
Understandably there were critics. One reader said:
“Goodbye beautiful, environmentally special Douglas Shire, goodbye ‘eco-destination’ - ecologically-minded Port Douglas! All those of us who cared for, and protected these values, have been supplanted by shallow me-ism! Everything must revolve around ‘me’ b**ger the environment. Let’s have bigger theme parks, let’s have masses of new housing - who cares about water shortages, about environmental destruction - about the consequences of climate change - certainly most here don’t, nor do any of the councillors. If you pile-on - go for it - I don’t let it bother me!”
Another said: “Shame $317 Million could not be spent on a rental housing project!”
New era of tourism
In his summation, Mayor Kerr said the wave park would be a catalyst for a new era of tourism in Port Douglas and Daintree.
"This transformative project will significantly lift summer tourism by creating a world-class surfing experience and year-round swimming option down the road from Port Douglas.
“With no recognised surf breaks in the tropics, Council believes this once-in-a-generation development will attract a wave of new visitors and keep our beautiful pocket of the world at the forefront of travellers’ minds.
“The wave park fits in nicely with our sports tourism focus and is perfectly positioned in the Mowbray Valley to complement the Wangetti Trail development,” said Kerr.