Daydream Island refurbishment kicks off after Cyclone Debbie

FANS of one of Queensland’s most idyllic resort islands are excited at news its post-cyclone reconstruction has started.

HUNDREDS of happy tourists have expressed their joy online following an announcement by Daydream Island that refurbishment of the cyclone-battered island had started.

A statement was posted to the Daydream Island and Resort Facebook page early on Tuesday saying the tropical island had begun its refurbishment following its closure in March as a result of damage by Cyclone Debbie.

About 200 people had commented and there were more than 1300 reactions to the post as of Tuesday night.

Nina Turner echoed many similar sentiments on the resort’s page by writing: “Can’t wait, we love Daydream Island.”

Julie Ridler wrote that she had visited Daydream Island eight times and could not wait for the refurbishment.

“It was very tired and needed it,” she wrote on their page.

Many people agreed with the resort being overdue for renovations, while a number of others asked if the mermaids had ever been found.

“Stay tuned for updates, including mermaid news,” the Daydream staff member replied late Tuesday.

One of the old Coral Ocean Balcony rooms

Two of three Mermaid statues at the front of the resort were washed into the sea by the storm.

Daydream Island was one of (how many islands), evacuated and damaged by Category five cyclone Debbie in March.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones recently announced the $65 million refurbishment of Daydream Island would be deemed a prescribed project, allowing the approvals process to be hastened by the Co-ordinator-General.

Her announcement came after The Courier Mail revealed that a $100 million Hayman Island development would also be fast-tracked.

A new Asian-inspired restaurant is scheduled to be part of the refurbishment, with the Lovers Cove function area scheduled to be expanded.

All rooms, the arrivals pavilion, main atrium area, Lagoons bar and both Waterfalls and Mermaids restaurant would all be refurbished, as would the conference area.

One of the old Ocean Paradise Rooms

Todd Hounsell, director of Airlie Beach-based Hounsell Constructions Pty Ltd, said demolition on the island began about six weeks ago and was expected to finish this Thursday.

“They’ve pulled the rooves off the buildings and the fitouts out of the rooms so that they’re back to a bare shell,” he said.

“We’ve gutted all the rooms, the kids club, day spa, a restaurant and pretty much everything except for the main auditorium.

“Most of the structures held up ok, with structural walls all fine, it’s mainly just the cosmetic stuff.”

Mr Hounsell said he expected his team of about 50 to be finished a week ahead of schedule and to be cleaning up by this Thursday, ready for the next contractor to start the rebuilding process.

A mock up of what the new Coral Ocean Balcony room could look like

Whitsundays Tourism chief executive officer Craig Turner said having Daydream and Hayman Island still closed was a “massive gap” to the region.

He estimated a loss of at least $300 million in direct spending from the islands being closed.

“And that’s a conservative number,” he said.

“We’re known as an island destination, with Hayman and Daydream complementing the activities on the mainland, so it will be good to have them both operating successfully again.”

Bookings reopened a couple of weeks ago, with the island anticipated to reopen on September 29, 2018.

Hamilton Island was the least damaged and reopened in April.

Hayman Island, which is also scheduled to reopen in mid-2018, is for sale for $300 million.

One of the old bathrooms in one of the old rooms at the Daydream Island Resort and Spa