WATCH: Big step forward for embattled East Point development

WATCH THE DRONE FOOTAGE: Land release for luxury seaside Dunes Harbour Beach.

EXCLUSIVE: IT HAS been a decade of false starts, poor timing, zoning problems and lots of paperwork.

But now, 15 years after it was granted environmental approval, the first stage of a plan to transform East Point into a regional tourism hub is almost done.

The Daily Mercury can reveal developer Urbex will finish civil works on the project worth several hundred million dollars by about November with the first land release before the end of the year.

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Earlier this year, Urbex project director David Argent said there was a renewed push to bring the project once dubbed Mackay's perennial bridesmaid to completion.

Work on the site began in March adding to initial work done in 2007 that came to a grinding halt when the Global Financial Crisis hit.

Dunes Harbour Beach will stretch across 68 hectares combining residential property, boutique tourism offerings and recreation sites to create relaxed seaside living.

An Urbex spokesman said the community development took inspiration from the site's unique topography and geography to offer "rare" parcels of land right on the waterfront.

The spokesman said land within the Sol Precinct would be available before December.

"The Sol Precinct will consist of a range of home sites some with direct Harbour Beach access just off the planned main plaza strip," he said.

 

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"Lots (will be) released to the market in the second half of 2020 to coincide with the December deadline for home buyers looking to take advantage of the Federal Homebuilder program."

North Queensland executive director of the Housing Industry Association Peter Fry said Mackay's property market would benefit from the development.

Drone images captured at the East Point project site show the initial earthworks that commenced on site in early 2020.

Once complete the integrated residential and tourism project will include a hotel, resort units, alfresco dining, open space and a community centre as well as residential living.

Mackay Tourism CEO Tas Webber said it was a step forward for the industry.

"It's very welcomed to see such a significant piece of private investment into tourism," he said.

"The development represents a major step forward to securing the much-needed private investment in the region's booming tourism industry."

For more information on the project visit the Dunes Harbour site here.

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