Port Douglas marina development plans ‘looking good’, says developer Ghassan Aboud
Billionaire investor Ghassan Aboud, who flew into the Far North yesterday ahead of meetings with Douglas Mayor Julia Leu, has spoken with optimism about his plans to reshape the Port Douglas waterfront.
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BILLIONAIRE investor Ghassan Aboud has spoken with optimism about his plans to reshape the Port Douglas waterfront.
Mr Aboud has arrived from Dubai, where his conglomerate Ghassan Aboud Group is based, for a series of meetings to discuss investments in Newcastle, Cairns and Port Douglas. He told the Gazette he was excited to be back in the region and was eager to meet with Douglas Shire Council staff today, where an in principle agreement is expected to be reached on a $200 million plus marina redevelopment.
The Syrian businessman will be accompanied by Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie, who he praised for progressing the Port Douglas project to this stage.
“Things are looking good,” Mr Aboud said.
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“It’s great to be back in Australia and I’m very much looking forward to being back in Port Douglas.
“Port Douglas is a pristine location for national and international tourism and I believe Crystalbrook Collection has a great contribution to make.
“Mark Davie and his team have made some great progress with our plans for Port Douglas and I’m looking forward to discussing this further with our partners and with Mayor Julia Leu.”
Ms Leu was equally as positive ahead of the pair’s first ever meeting today.
She said council was eager to showcase the region to Mr Aboud and why he should add Port Douglas to his real estate, media, automotive, retail, hospitality and logisitcal investments across Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
“We will be hoping to show Mr Aboud why investing in this beautiful region is something he will not regret,” Ms Leu said.
“This type of significant private investment does not come around too often for regional towns.
“There is certainly a feeling of the excitement out there to see something really special happen at that marina precinct.
“We will be doing our best to promote Douglas Shire while encouraging Mr Aboud to lodge this development application.”
Mayor Leu added council was ‘extremely keen’ to see progress in further signs a DA lodgement was imminent.
Crystalbrook cheif Mr Davie and council have been working closely since Christmas to fine tune the concept designs for the Dicksons Inlet project, which will be tabled and discussed in with Mr Aboud.
“We have already been treated to a sneak peek of the concept designs and everyone is really impressed with what Crystalbrook Collection has designed,” Ms Leu reiterated.
“What they have brought to the table so far absolutely tells Douglas Shire’s story of the reef and the rainforest, with a vibrant nautical theme appropriate for the stunning location.”
Originally published as Port Douglas marina development plans ‘looking good’, says developer Ghassan Aboud
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