$900M development to change NQ town forever

Major project will change the seaside town forever

Whitsunday Shores could change Bowen if approved. Picture: Contributed

A $900 MILLION plan to revive the Whitsunday Shores residential project is set to be lodged with Whitsunday Regional Council shortly, sparking hopes of a construction boom for Bowen.

Gold Coast-based company Greater Rewards Group have unveiled plans for a residential community of 1800 dwellings for up to 5000 people and are awaiting final confirmation from the council about the fees relating to the lodgement of a development application.

Award-winning Queensland planning firm Planit Consulting has prepared the new concept which includes a range of lot sizes to accommodate traditional houses, townhouses, units and potentially tourist accommodation.

Planit Consulting director Boyd Sargeant said the proposal included a commercial precinct with supermarket, cafes and restaurants catering for the growing community.

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"Other elements of the proposal include an aged care-retirement living precinct, child care centre, sporting fields, a community club house and tavern,'' Mr Sargeant said.

"Once approved, the estate would have more than 50ha of open space incorporating Mt Bramston, the foreshore and a series of recreational parks. "

Mr Sargeant said the proposed residential project had been designed to promote a "strong sense of community”.

"We see the shopping centre, the sporting club and the community facilities as drivers to promote interaction in the community,'' he said.

"As part of this we have been in discussions with Queensland AFL about establishing a new Bowen AFL club, a field and facilities.”

The first stage of the development would see the development of a range of new housing lots, a new sporting field and club house and the first stage of the commercial precinct. As the estate develops additional housing lots, commercial, retail and employment opportunities will be rolled out.

Mr Sargeant said the concept included a range of housing choices because the developer was seeking to cater for a wide cross section of buyers ranging from first home owners through to up-graders and down-sizers.

"Upon approval the proposal would see millions of dollars of investment in infrastructure including new water reservoir and upgraded sewer facilities for the site and wider area,'' Mr Sargeant said.

"Potentially hundreds of jobs could be delivered through this investment and the associated housing construction.

"This would provide much needed jobs, a lift the construction and services industries, and provide a significant economic boost to Bowen and the wider Whitsunday community.”

A previous plan to develop Whitsunday Shores stalled during the global financial crisis, leaving hundreds of Bowen residents and purchasers who bought into the estate in the lurch.

Originally published as $900M development to change NQ town forever