Townsville Waterpark, Beach Club & Hotel project plans revealed for Cluden block
Townsville is finally getting a waterpark, along with numerous other facilities as part of a massive project that’s just been revealed. See why Cairns and Gold Coast should be worried.
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Much to the delight of North Queenslanders desperate to beat the heat, a world class, long-awaited waterpark and numerous accompanying facilities has been unveiled for Cluden, which will have tourist magnets like Cairns and Gold Coast nervously looking over their shoulders.
Worth an estimated $550 million in total, the Townsville Waterpark, Beach Club & Hotel project is proposed to be built on a 15ha triangular piece of land at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Flinders Highway, opposite Fairfield Central Shopping Centre.
After three years chipping away behind the scenes with the support of CA Architects, the project’s developer Shaun McCarthy will lodge planning documentation with Townsville City Council on Tuesday.
“The project includes a 3000-person capacity waterpark, designed to be similar to Wet ‘n’ Wild on the Gold Coast, alongside a 10,000 square metre Beach Club that aims to rival Finns Bali and O Beach Ibiza … with a capacity of 5000 - equipped to host international DJs and artists,” Mr McCarthy said.
“It will be anchored by a 200-key (15 storey) hotel featuring dedicated conference and event facilities capable of accommodating up to 600-seat banquet style.
“In addition to the leisure offerings, the development will incorporate quick-service restaurant drive-through tenancies, a tavern, and plans for 400 residential apartments (eight storey) plus retail, (with) ample undercover parking for about 900 parks in the current plans.”
Provided the approval process goes smoothly, the tender process would begin in 2025, and bulk earthworks after the wet season next April, with the staged construction process taking roughly 2.5 years to complete.
“The estimated investment for the waterpark, beach club, and hotel component is $250 million, with an additional $300 million required to develop the apartment complexes and address the housing supply needs of the region,” he said.
It will be privately funded with the backing of “southern investors” who wished to remain anonymous.
Operating all year round, with heated water during winter, the project was expected to employ 220 people directly through the construction phase, with a further 400 jobs through the supply chain and consumption.
The operational phase of the development would generate approximately 715 jobs, of which 500 would be direct and 215 through flow-on effects.
Born and raised in Ayr, Mr McCarthy moved to Townsville in 2012 after an eight year stint playing rugby in Europe, before making his mark in the business world as a Zambrero Franchise Partner.
Over the past decade he’s opened 56 restaurants in Queensland and 26 in Ireland.
Mr McCarthy was excited and nervous to be finally talking publicly about his passion project after a “hell of a lot of work that’s been done”.
“The development is a significant step forward for the people of Northern Queensland, particularly Townsville, who have often felt overlooked compared to the excitement found in the southern regions,” he said.
“This project addresses the need for enhanced recreational and leisure facilities in the area, especially given its tropical climate.
“While progress is being made and the vision is coming to fruition, there are still several stages to navigate before the turning of the soil and the world-class facility delivered.”
Ideally located in proximity to major highways, Lavarack Barracks, Murray Sporting Complex, hospital and university, the entertainment precinct was developed as a response to the gaps in recreational, tourism, events, and leisure facilities in North Queensland.
The site is zoned for sport and recreation land use, providing a “healthy level of consistency with the planning scheme”.
Following the development application’s lodgement, Mr McCarthy looked forward to briefing local councillors on the project.
“We are seeking to apply what is called a Plan of Development (POD) to the site … essentially a mini planning scheme that establishes the development intent for the site … supported by a Concept Master Plan,” he said.
“I have spoken with our current Premier, Opposition Deputy Leader, Katter’s Australian Party, and many departments within the tourism sector in government (and) all parties have been very positive towards the project and have given an indication of their full support.”
Due to the flood prone nature of the site, Mr McCarthy said detailed hydrological studies had been undertaken both on the current council flood modelling data as well as the proposed amended modelling data, with the plan to raise development footprint 3m higher across the site, backed by a system of channels and a weir - leaving 110,000 sqm of developable land.
Mr McCarthy planned to harness solar energy and batteries, and left the door open to accessing water from the $25 million Cleveland Bay Recycled Water Treatment Facility, which the council expected to be operational by mid-late 2024.
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Originally published as Townsville Waterpark, Beach Club & Hotel project plans revealed for Cluden block
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