Plans for Cannonvale pub revamp get tick of approval

The Royal Cannonvale Hotel forms part of a larger development on the site of a former backpackers

The council approved plans for the Royal Cannonvale Hotel this week. Picture: Supplied

ONE of Airlie Beach's former signature backpackers will be revived under a new plan approved by the council this week.

The previous site of Reefo's Backpackers, which was demolished in 2009, will be returned to its former glory with the addition of a bar and bistro that will be known as the Royal Cannonvale Hotel.

The vacant 3.6ha lot earmarked for development sits behind Bunnings Warehouse off Shute Harbour Rd.

The first stage of the renewed Reefo's Backpackers got the green light in May this year when the council approved a material change of use and site reconfiguration.

The Royal Cannonvale Hotel will also have a TAB, kids play room and function areas. Picture: Supplied.

At the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted unanimously on a slight change to the original application, with the exception of Division 6 councillor Mike Brunker who is still on a leave of absence for the state election.

Whitsunday Regional Council development services director Neil McGaffin said the original approvals were for a large hotel with function rooms and short-term accommodation.

"The proponent (has) now come back and is basically wanting to dilute the intensity of the use so that the function facility has been removed and there's been a slight adjustment to the hotel," he said.

 

The applications for the tourist park and Royal Cannonvale Hotel are part of a larger application for Reefo's Resort that the council approved earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

"It basically means that it will be smaller than what it was originally approved at.

Mr McGaffin said the change from short-term accommodation to the tourist park would be more "casual".

The application is made up of three different aspects; a temporary food and drink outlet in the form of a mobile food vehicle, a tourist park and a hotel.

The tourist park will house 25 cabins along with housekeeping and laundry facilities, parking spaces and the landscaping of communal open space.

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On the same site will sit the Royal Cannonvale Hotel, which is set to include a bar and bistro, outdoor dining area, TAB, games room and children's playroom.

The application outlines space for a beer garden and swimming pool with a 20m lap pool and separate rooms on the first level for private parties.

Approvals were also given for a food and drink truck that will operate from the site for two years during construction, providing food and refreshments for workers as well as other customers.

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