Inside Colonial Hotel plans for Airlie Beach

A piano bar and pool bar are part of exciting plans for a new hotel in one of Queensland’s most popular tropical destinations. See the pictures and picture yourself with a cocktail in hand.

Airlie Beach could soon be treated to a new venue boasting a live piano bar mere metres from the resort town’s lagoon and popular foreshore.

The proposed Colonial Hotel will also offer a pool terrace bar, a sports bar, and a gaming room if it gets approval from Whitsunday Regional Council.

Developer Christian Ainsworth, youngest son of aristocrat pokie billionaire Len Ainsworth, also owns Cairns tourist mecca Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel & Resort.

This latest venture would occupy several lots on the corner of Broadwater Avenue and Shute Harbour Road at the site of the current Colonial Court Holiday Apartments.

Concept art reveals a sleek design with a two-toned tile facade spotted with native plants that wrap around a building making the most of the lot’s slope.

Concept views of the proposed Colonial Hotel on Broadwater Avenue and Shute Harbour Road by Australian firm BSPN Architecture.

Documents submitted for the material change of use said the two-storey development would have an entrance on both levels.

“The main entrance to the ground floor level is from the eastern side of the premises facing onto Broadwater Avenue, closer to the Main Street intersection,” documents read.

Aerial maps showing the positioning of the proposed Colonial Hotel in Airlie Beach. Picture: Nearmap

“The ground floor level accommodates the sports bar, lounge, restaurant, pool, pool terrace bar, gaming room, amenities and back of house.

“The beach level floor plan also includes a piano bar, amenities, back of house and services.”

Concept views of the proposed Colonial Hotel on Broadwater Avenue and Shute Harbour Road by Australian firm BSPN Architecture.

After enjoying a walk on the beach, a patron could easily enter into the piano bar from Broadwater Avenue and relax with a cold drink at the proposed hotel.

Documents say consultants Palmer Acoustics prepared a noise impact assessment greenlighting the development.

“The Airlie Beach location for the proposed dual aspect facility has low background noise levels,” documents read.

Concept views of the proposed Colonial Hotel on Broadwater Avenue and Shute Harbour Road by Australian firm BSPN Architecture.

“The proposed outdoor dining area (sports bar, pool and restaurant terrace) is expected to (meet) the Whitsundays Regional Council’s noise requirement.”

The piano bar and surrounding areas are “expected to operate within music levels” with further acoustic screening in the designated outside smoking area upstairs.

The Whitsunday council is now considering the development application which was submitted in July.

Concept views of the proposed Colonial Hotel on Broadwater Avenue and Shute Harbour Road by Australian firm BSPN Architecture.

The proposal included 70 carparking spaces and space for 16 bicycles.

Vision Surveys, which prepared a town planning report for the application, recommends approval subject to “reasonable and relevant conditions”.

Aerial maps showing the positioning of the proposed Colonial Hotel in Airlie Beach. Picture: Nearmap

“It is submitted that the proposed development contributes to this mixture within the Airlie Beach township, and it seeks to create a vibrant and enriched environment,” the report reads.

“The proposed development is low rise, less than 12 metres permitted in the zone … (and) does not have a height more than 9.8 metres above ground level, across the premises.