Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

The developer behind the $300 million Accor Fairmont Port Douglas resort has made what could be described as philanthropic by offering $10 million if it would assist in the town’s need for a pool or splash park.

Melbourne developer Paul Chiodo said he wants the Port Douglas community to see this as a gift and his way of doing something positive for the town.

And as he fights in the courts to reverse Douglas Shire Council’s decision to reject his Development Application because “it is way outside the Planning Scheme”, he stressed this was not “a bribe”

“Let me put this in perspective. I am making this offer in good faith and to assist the community. I am not looking for anything in return. I am not expecting any favours. I will continue to impress on everyone that we are bringing a magnificent $300 million property to the town and we’ll continue to show how Port Douglas will benefit in the long term,” said Chiodo.

But the chances of seeing this project move ahead has now reached a stalemate and Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has said “we may never see a splash park”.

To compound the issue, Clr Abigail Noli’s Notice of Motion for transparency was adopted 3-2 with Councillors Noli, Lisa Scomazzon and Roy Zammataro voting in favour and Mayor Kerr and Councillor Peter McKeown against, at a December Council meeting.

In her motion, Cr Noli requested the following:

That Council:

• Consults with the community for the location of the Port Douglas Splash Park and Water Precinct; (Reynolds Park was mentioned as a preferred location).
• The final location of the precinct is decided by council resolution;
• A business case and cost benefit analysis are conducted on the proposed 50m lap pool and an alternative lagoon style pool;
• The business case and cost benefit analysis, for both options, are brought to a council meeting to be publicly discussed and noted.

Clr Noli said, “this decision is too important to get wrong as this will forever be an ongoing cost, probably an operational loss and in the wrong location an eyesore and detriment to the amenity of Port Douglas.”

Council had advised that a tender had yet to be awarded and it is unknown when this matter will return to the Open Session of Council.

Mayor Kerr, meanwhile, said it was a nice offer and Chiodo would need to submit a formal proposal.