Mission Beach tourism experience fears spark calls for master plan priority

Visitors to a Far North tourism-centric town “deserve better” says one local operator who fears a collapse of hospitality businesses could create a ghost town.

VISITORS to a Far North tourism-centric town “deserve better” says one local operator who fears a collapse of hospitality venues could create a ghost town.

Mission Beach, historically popular among the drive tourism market is just weeks out from the beginning of its busy season, but returning holiday-makers may find some of their favourite dining options are no longer on the table.

The town’s centrepiece – the Village Green Precinct – is part of Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s Mission Beach master plan, but after popular restaurant Peppervine was destroyed in a fire on March 11, the pedestrian-friendly centre has become quiet, in a commercial, and foot traffic sense.

The fire that destroyed Peppervine took with it neighbouring dessert business Scooped No.1.

Now, the two businesses join the closure of fellow David St beachside eateries Pippi’s by the Sea and The Shrub, both which have now been closed for more than a year. Although the latter reopened nearby as Lansi’s with limited dining, it leaves just five venues offering dine-in for evening meals in the town’s centre – four of which are predominantly bars.

And while Peppervine announced it would rebuild, visitors during this year’s season are likely to come and go before a reopening is complete.

Mission Beach hotelier of 10 years Robert Smith, of the Jackaroo Treehouse, feared the lack of options for tourists would leave a lasting impression among visitors and be the “nail in the coffin” for the town.

“Mission Beach is really struggling, with (Peppervine) now gone, there’s a few other places, but no real dine-in places,” Mr Smith said.

“Someone needs to step up and step in to help this town, otherwise it’s just going to disappear.

“I think the council needs to step-up and get this master plan going, because there’s nothing happening.

“Because we’re struggling here, and when people come here, what are they going to see?

“A whole bunch of closed-down businesses, a tired-looking precinct, and that impression will stick and we’ll be done.”

And those early warning signs had already arrived with visitors from Ingham and Cairns declaring the centre of the town as a “bit quiet”, during their stay on weekend.

A popular dining precinct at Mission Beach. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

Ingham friends Lisa Ammanuel and Annette Fodriga have been regular visitors to Mission Beach for almost 30 years, and once upon a time, would spend long nights partying in the centre of town around Village Green.

“Now we’re camping at South Mission, we don’t really come into town much anymore,” Ms Ammanuel said.

“There used to be so many more bars and live music and a lively atmosphere, now you can hardly eat anywhere. Coming to Mission Beach was kind of like spending a weekend at Airlie Beach.”

Trinity Beach resident Fiona Stephenson was holidaying at the town with her friend Linda Rowe on a four-day trip and said when they arrived, they were surprised at the lack of activity.

“I love Mission Beach, it’s a beautiful place, but there definitely could be more for tourists here,” Ms Stephenson said

“We turned up on Thursday and nothing was open during the day, we sort of just had to wait around. And then they close early, it was lively to about 8pm, then it really fizzled down.

“I think this (Village Green) would be a great place for more live music, a few more food options.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council chief executive Andrew Graffen said the council was committed to redeveloping the Village Green precinct, Porter Promenade and David St to make it more vibrant and inviting by upgrading drainage, pavement, lighting, public art, amenities, community spaces and landscaping.

However, he said the results of funding applications for the estimated $10.5 million revitalisation project wouldn’t be announced until mid-2022.

“Council are committed to delivering this project and will consider alternative funding options as part of the development of the 2022/23 Budget if unsuccessful in securing grant funding,” Mr Graffen said.

“Council is delivering the project in two stages, having already completed Stage One, the Mission Beach carpark. Stage Two will focus on major upgrades for Porter Promenade, The Village Green and David St.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council's CEO Andrew Graffen.

Mr Smith said the car park was good but “there’s no use of a car park if the town’s going to be empty. You’ve just got a handful stores here in the Village Green holding up a whole town.”

Tropical Coast Tourism chairwoman Nancy Lowe said she believed there would be enough eateries for tourists, but acknowledged there had been a decline.

Ms Lowe said she would support offering incentives to draw food trucks to the town’s centre as a short-term solution, if the plan was backed by surviving venues operating around Village Green.

“But I think businesses need to be talking to each other too, and making sure there is a selection open most nights of the week. They can work together,” she said.

Tropical Coast Tourism chairwoman Nancy Lowe believes there would be enough eateries for tourists.

While Mr Graffen did not explicitly confirm the council would offer temporary food truck and pop-up eatery incentives, he said creating additional spots for roadside vendors could be on the agenda.

“Roadside vending on the Cassowary Coast is encouraged in places where there is a

positive benefit for the community and provided it does not adversely affect fixed business, the environment or amenity of the area,” he said.

“In support of future place-making activities in the Village Green Precinct, as part of the projects consultation phase, Council will be consulting with the identified project’s stakeholder group for guidance on activation of the precinct during the construction phase.”

Originally published as Mission Beach tourism experience fears spark calls for master plan priority