Council backs Lindeman Island resort, Magpies Sports Club, OzCare Sarina

From island resorts to aged care facility upgrades, a regional council backed a raft of developments aimed at delivering housing, amenities and tourism opportunities.

Council have given the green light to the redevelopment of a Mackay island resort and discounts to other major developments in the region.

The luxury revamp of a once popular Mackay island resort has been given a unanimous green light.

Lindeman Island’s Club Med has been sitting abandoned and decaying off the coast for more than a decade, but plans to restore its bustling vibe are one step closer after Mackay Regional Councillors voted in favour of a Singapore-based developer’s plans for a million-dollar makeover.

Wells Smart Group bought the island for $10.46 million in March 2023 after its previous owner, Chinese tycoon William Han, did not follow through on his approval for a $583 million redevelopment.

The Club Med resort was permanently shut in 2012 after receiving significant damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Yasi the year before.

Documents submitted to council in 2024 pitched a huge luxury development with a 5-star beachside resort, 6-star spa resort and villas, as well as staff village, eco resort, beach club and more.

The former Club Med Resort on Lindeman Island off Mackay. Picture: Ron Altmann, 2021

Stage 1 of the development — which will repair and expand the island’s existing jetty to accommodate transport and tourists — will benefit from the state government’s Growing Future Tourism fund.

Design plans for the redeveloped Lindeman Island off Mackay. Picture: Contributed

Deputy mayor Karen May said it was great to see the application come to council and said “let’s hope we see construction in the very near future.

“I think that’s something the community would like to see and fits very well with the growth in tourism in our area,” Ms May said.

“It would certainly be good to see it come to fruition.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson with newly elected deputy mayor Karen May, August 7, 2024. Picture: Heidi Petith

The preliminary application was approved unanimously.

The approval of development for Lindeman Island comes as development stagnates for the nearby Brampton Island, which developers also promised to transform into a tourist hotspot.

Magpies Sporting Club has lodged plans to Mackay Regional Council to almost double the club's footprint. This is what the exterior of the club after the completion of Stages 1 and 2. Picture: Contributed

Council also discussed discounting infrastructure charges of the Magpies Sporting Club expansion.

It is transforming its club house in a three stage renovation which will ultimately almost double the gross floor space.

Stage 1 includes a new bar and amenities, a new cold room and freezer extension, and changes to the car park and drop-off areas.

Stage 2 involves a sports bar extension and new deck, dedicated outdoor smoking area, accessible ramp and landscaping.

While Stage 3 includes enlarging the kid’s room, installing stairs to the Level 1 balcony, building a new covered deck and extending the main entrance, cafe and lounge.

The developers requested concessions of $149,453 be granted, roughly 75 per cent of the project’s infrastructure charges.

Mackay councillors Namarca Corowa, Ash-Lee Johnson, Nathenea MacRae, Peter Sheedy and Alison Jones joined mayor Greg Williamson to advocate for a new road to ease Northern Beaches traffic congestion.

Councillor Nathenea MacRae said the expansion met council policy and highlighted the benefits of the 96 jobs created by construction.

“It supports local economic growth through job creation and improved community facilities,” Ms MacRae said.

“It injects over $8m in wages and salaries into our local economy.”

Council approved the concessions unanimously and construction is estimated to start by September 2025.

OzCare Sarina and Nanyima Aged Care Mirani are both aiming to expand, adding new capacity for residents and help accommodate growing demand.

OzCare also sought council support for the approved expansion of its Sarina facility.

The proposed wing will deliver 20 new beds, eight staff accommodation units, a larger car park and create 20 full time jobs.

Construction is expected to cost $23.5m and begin in August 2025 to be completed by May 2026.

OzCare requested $383,920 in infrastructure charges be discounted completely.

Councillor Namarca Corowa said approving the concessions was “a no-brainer” and that the development was “important”.

Ms May agreed and said she had personally seen the facility grow over the years and “the seniors in our community are really keen”.

“The service delivered … is second to none and the locals really appreciate it,” Ms May said.

The concession was approved unanimously with the condition development be completed and the new wing in use by July 16, 2027.

Originally published as Council backs Lindeman Island resort, Magpies Sports Club, OzCare Sarina