Reported by Howard Salkow and Jamie Jansen

A once-in-a-generation $317 million wave park to be situated on the outskirts of the Mowbray Valley and near the entrance to Trezise Road off the Captain Cook Highway, received unanimous approval by Douglas Shire councillors at today’s Open Session of Council in Mossman.

They approved a 164-room hotel and resort featuring a wave pool, freshwater swimming lagoon, aqua park, 90 self-contained villas and surf cabins.

The development, spear-headed 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. 

Catalyst for new era of tourism

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael 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.

Sustainability initiatives

Council’s planning team has worked closely with NorthBreak and Hunt Design on the development application since late-2020. The applicant has committed to a range of sustainability initiatives such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting and landscaping.

Mayor Kerr said the wave park development would play a vital role in helping the region recover from the economic shocks felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A key goal of our 2021-2024 Economic Development Strategy is to expand and diversify our tourism offering, particularly by capitalising on lucrative sports tourism and adventure markets.

“I would like to congratulate the applicants and our planning team for the immense amount of work put into this game-changing project,” he said.

Labelling it a “great project”, Councillor Roz Zammataro raised a concern of under-developed agricultural land, which could result in a loss of jobs, not a gain.

Councillor Lisa Scomazzon said this facility will offer all-year tourism and will fill a gap.

Both councillors Abigail Noli and Peter McKeown both addressed how the water and sewerage issues will be dealt with.

The applicant has committed to a range of sustainability initiatives such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting and landscaping.

NorthBreak is also required to meet their obligations to offset their demands on Council’s water supply and sewer network, as well as contributing towards planned trunk infrastructure to service the Shire.

Both councillors were satisfied with this provided by a Council staff member.

Noli statement

Councillor Noli issued the following statement after the Council meeting:

“I support sustainable, sensible development that adheres to the current planning scheme and that ultimately does not disturb the lifestyle that residents of Douglas have chosen and deserve.

“NorthBreak, I believe, will be that type of development, a long-term benefit that complements what Douglas has to offer to both locals and tourists alike.

“As councillor, I am content with the questions and responses regarding water, sewage, environmental and visual changes that this development will be affecting.

“I would like to thank the developers for the work put into the application and the processes that were followed; it makes it more streamlined and ultimately a greater probability of all-round success and benefit to Douglas.”

(Notice of Motion-Agenda Item 6.1)

Developer David Imgraben and Hunt Design’s Gary Hunt were both unavailable for comment.