Meridien gets approval for Port of Airlie resort in Whitsundays
A four-storey resort designed for family, sporting, and tour groups has received preliminary approval to be built by the ocean in Airlie Beach. SEE THE PLANS.
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A four-storey resort designed for family, sporting, and tour groups has received preliminary approval to be built next to a marina in Airlie Beach.
Meridien, the owner of the Port of Airlie, first submitted plans for its 102-unit complex in 2019, with councillors voting in favour of the project at the recent ordinary meeting of Whitsunday Regional Council.
WRC Regional Strategy and Planning director Neil McGaffin said the resort at 18 Port Dr included provisions for guests like shared laundry, kitchen and gaming spaces that “you wouldn’t normally see”.
Also on the ground floor is a restaurant and bar with a waterfront terrace, gym, guest pool and a training pool for a dive school.
Floors one to three have five different types of accommodation that together cater for up to 454 guests, ranging from solo guests up to groups of eight, with the first floor also containing a functions and receptions area.
Mr McGaffin said while the resort at 19m high exceeded the 12m outlined in the council’s planning scheme, the complex did not occupy the entire 6788 sqm site and further, and its architectural design was sympathetic to the visual amenity.
Council documents further state the nearby Boathouse development at 19.44m high also exceeded 12m.
Meridien, in strengthening its application to the council, provided two independent economic analyses which stated Airlie Beach had a “substantial economic, community and planning need” for a premium or up-market hotel.
Documents further stated the resort would help realise the “full economic potential” of the Port of Airlie and each year inject an extra $1.7m into the Whitsundays’ economy from visitor expenditure as well as support 85 direct and indirect ongoing full time equivalent jobs.
There were five submissions during the public notification period from November 2020 to January 2021, including one from Councillor Clay Bauman, who declared a conflict of interest at the meeting and excluded himself from the vote.
Mr McGaffin said the council was able to address all of the issues raised in the submissions including having Meridien agree to build additional car parks.
Read about Meridien’s other development applications for the Port of Airlie:
24 Coconut Grove, court-approved September 1, 2023: $80m, 12-storey luxury resort
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