Breakwater hotel project to deliver goods for Townsville

A fully reticulated chilled water airconditioning system built by a local firm will be installed in an $80m hotel development.

Townsville-based mechanical and electrical contractor Peak ARE will play a major role in the construction of one of the city’s most anticipated projects.

Peak is the successful mechanical services tenderer for the $80m luxury hotel development now under construction on seafront land next to The Ville Resort-Casino.

Director Brad Swaffer said the Peak ARE team would deliver a fully reticulated chilled water airconditioning system as part of the seven-storey project.

A computer-generated image of the Morris Group's $80m hotel project being developed next door to The Ville Resort-Casino in Townsville.

“The Peak ARE team is extremely proud to be named as a key contractor for such a significant project for Townsville,” Mr Swaffer said.

“Our capability as a local business to deliver a project of this magnitude really validates our work towards evolving into a leader in our industry and, along with our other projects, secures us a solid pipeline of work for the next 12-18 months.

“The Breakwater hotel development will not only help shape the future of the Townsville shoreline but likely have a legacy impact on the local economy and tourism industry more broadly, so it’s wonderful to be involved.”

The Morris Group development is being delivered by Prime Constructions Australia and will include a 132-room hotel as well as a seventh floor recreational precinct featuring a bar, restaurant, infinity pool and expansive deck.

A team of up to 20 Peak ARE mechanical and electrical staff will deliver the supply, installation and maintenance of all associated airconditioning, mechanical ventilation and refrigeration systems. Prime Constructions Australia project manager Rick Stevens said they were pleased to engage a Townsville business for the work after a competitive tender process.

“At Prime, we have a solid reputation in developing world-class hotels and we always look forward to working with construction partners whose professionalism and expertise align with our high standards,” Mr Stevens said.

From its beginnings in a double garage in South Townsville in 2004, Peak ARE has developed into a diverse business employing more than 60 staff. Its new, expanded headquarters in Garbutt are due to open later this year. About 30 to 40 people are working on the hotel project’s groundworks at present with site employment expected to peak around 150 as work proceeds. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of next year.

NQ MANGO MAN SAYS IT’S TIME TO SLOW DOWN

After more than 40 years of work, multiple tourism awards and seeing the joy on the faces of countless children eating ice-cream, Frosty Mango owner Alf Poefinger is ready to chill out.

Who could blame him? Though still as fit as a fiddle, he is 82 years old.

“It’s time for me to slow down instead of working seven days a week and enjoy what I created,” Mr Poefinger said.

McGrath Real Estate has listed the land holdings and business, which trades on the Bruce Highway 65km north of Townsville, for sale for $2.5 million.

McGrath principal Brad Matheson said Alf was a visionary and tourism icon.

“He started the farm more than 40 years ago and built Frosty Mango for the future,” Mr Matheson said.

“Now it is a major tourism attraction. Everyone stops there when they are travelling through North Queensland. And it has a lot more potential.”

Alf Poefinger grows all the fruit that goes into Frosty Mango's delicious sweet treats, including the exotic black sapote fruit. Picture: Fiona Harding

Mr Poefinger came to Australia from Germany in the 1960s looking for adventure.

“When I came over here I promised my parents I would stay for two years and come back. It didn’t happen. I got stuck and I don’t regret it for a moment. There’s no better place than Australia and no better place than up here,” Mr Poefinger said.

Frosty Mango is at the foot of the majestic Paluma National Park.

Mr Poefinger acquired the Crystal Creek Farm in 1979, to develop a tropical fruit orchard.

The Frosty Mango restaurant and its orchards, comprising 79ha of land and three homes, are for sale.

He built the Frosty Mango restaurant in 1988 after buying an adjoining property.

The holding now comprises 79ha of land with three homes, orchards, the restaurant and a rainforest section.

The specialty is mango ice-cream but there are more than 30 ice-cream flavours, all made on the premises, mostly with their own tropical fruits, as well as all manner of mango flavoured goods.

Mr Poefinger said he had planted a rainforest section with the idea that a watercourse surrounding it could be used to provide boat rides for tourists.

Scientists have told him the rainforest he and his family planted held had the largest variety of trees anywhere.

But it is one project, along with a caravan park and camping area, which needs more work.

Mr Poefinger said he had fielded interest from investors and potential operators so far without success.

If the holding does sell, he plans to have a holiday but will live in North Queensland.

“I wouldn’t disappear from up here,” he said.

Originally published as Breakwater hotel project to deliver goods for Townsville