The Calile developers lodge Noosa resort plans with council

Brisbane’s Calile Hotel developers have lodged plans for a luxurious 178-room resort at Noosa but concerns have already been raised about the site.

Calile Malouf Investments has lodged plans with the Noosa council for a resort on Serenity Close in Noosa Heads.

Developers of a luxury Brisbane hotel want to build in Noosa Heads but a cloud hangs over a resort development approval on their favoured land.

An approval extension is up for discussion at a Noosa Council meeting.

Calile Malouf Investments, which is behind Brisbane’s The Calile Hotel, has lodged plans with the Noosa Council for a resort.

The application comprises 178 rooms, 12 suites and 15 villas at 3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads, on a 2.4ha site.

Director Michael Malouf said the point of difference for the proposed resort would be the luxury of space.

Calile Malouf Investments has lodged plans with the Noosa council for a resort on Serenity Close in Noosa Heads.

“Embedded in a bushland setting, the large site allows for generously proportioned facilities including multiple swimming, pools, tennis court, comprehensive wellness facilities, cinema, and function spaces,” he said.

According to council documents, the Serenity Close land “benefits from a development approval” for a resort comprising 109 dwelling units, 90 accommodation units and ancillary facilities.

“The development approval has a currency period that expires on April 8, 2022 and the applicant seeks approval to extend this currency period a further 12 months until April 8, 2023,” the council documents stated.

The extension would give Calile Malouf Investments time to lodge a change application for a resort development on the site.

However, council staff have recommended the council reject the extension request.

According to documents, the bushfire risk had increased from medium to high and state legislation regarding koalas had also changed.

The Settlers Cove master plan in Noosa Heads.

Council development assessment manager Kerri Coyle said the application would be considered at next week’s general committee meeting.

“The existing approval is 14 years old and is based on the 1990 planning scheme requirements at the time,” she said.

Ms Coyle said the 1990 scheme contained some different planning scheme provisions for the site and was superseded by the Noosa Plan 2020.

“It is important that any new resort proposal by the new owners is assessed against the current planning scheme and meets today’s requirements for the site,” she said.

Council documents also stated the area surrounding the land had “experienced significant change” since approval of the development and the current community may not be aware of the development.

Mr Malouf said Noosa’s natural beauty made it one of Australia’s most desirable coastal holiday destinations.

The pool at the Calile Hotel in Brisbane. Picture: Narelle Bouveng

He said the standard hotel rooms would be 45sq m.

“In addition, the three-bedroom villas complete with private pool will cater to families or groups of friends looking for a shared hotel experience,” he said.

“We always strive for excellence in design, and we’re pleased to be working again with the talented Richards and Spence team to deliver another exceptional design outcome.”

The developer said the site benefited from access to the Noosa River via a path through an ecological reserve.

“We have commenced discussions with Noosa Council to enable hotel guests to be ferried to Hastings Street via a solar-powered electric ferry,” Mr Malouf said.

“Not only will this strategy allow visitors to experience the tranquil beauty of the Noosa River, but this also successfully removes the transport burden from the road network.”

Originally published as The Calile developers lodge Noosa resort plans with council