Business owners, residents react to 21-storey resort plan

As news spread of a history-making proposal to build a towering luxury resort in the heart of Hervey Bay’s Torquay tourism precinct, locals were divided about the way forward. VIDEOS.

Plans for the tallest towers the Fraser Coast has ever seen have divided residents and business owners of the Esplanade.

It comes after this publication exclusively revealed on Saturday that private developer Sunny Beach Land Pty Ltd had launched its bold bid with the local council to build a luxury resort complex with six storeys of greenery-covered Esplanade frontage and two towers reaching 21 storeys slightly back on the block which extends to Freshwater St.

Should the proposal go ahead at the 408-412 the Esplanade site, all existing buildings including budget accommodation provider Buzzers and the long-empty Hub apartments and nightclub would be demolished to make way for a grand “wave” shaped complex.

This would be knocked down and replaced with a 21-storey hotel (concept image below) if the plans are approved by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

A landmark "twin towers" resort and residential development, the biggest of its kind ever to be proposed on the Hervey Bay Esplanade, is before the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

The first five levels would be hotel accommodation, the sixth a sprawling pool and recreation deck and the towers home to hundreds of residential apartments.

For many surrounding business owners, it’s a welcome sign of progression in a city which largely relies on tourism dollars.

Aquavue Cafe and Watersports Operations manager Lauren Christie believed a hotel of this scale would help “transform” the “meh” area into somewhere that is “sophisticated and trendy.”

“It will bring people who will boost the local economy,” Mrs Christie said.

Her thoughts were echoed by business owners Gay Ignatenko of long-term fashion store Banana Bender as well as Darren Carter who runs the iconic Torquay Hotel.

Owner of the Torquay Hotel Darren Carter believes the hotel will increase employment opportunities within Hervey Bay

Ms Ignatenko said she was “all for it” and “you need progression within the community”.

Mr Carter thought it would “be good for the area” because it will increase employment opportunities”.

Many residents who were stopped and asked for their thoughts however expressed their displeasure.

One said she “simply does not care for it” while another added, “Hervey Bay does not want to be the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast”.

The development would dwarf Oaks Resort which currently is the tallest Esplanade resort at six storeys.

The applicants argue the value of the land along the Esplanade is “too great” to become solely low-density and the development will help promote “housing diversity” within the area.

Fraser Coast councillors and the mayor were asked whether they were open to considering approving a development of such a large scale and height.

The few who did respond said it would be inappropriate to comment on a development before the council.

Among them was Councillor David Lewis who acknowledged the application was significant for the region and shared the Chronicle’s original story on his Facebook page with a post telling residents “I’m keen to get your comments on this proposal” and asking for responses to be forwarded to his email.

Councillor Paul Truscott said while he could not comment specifically on the application, he “had a personal interest in high rise development right across our region as I believe we should look to building up rather than building out more to best utilise our resources.”

How readers responded to the proposal

The Chronicle’s article on the development proposal attracted hundreds of comments on community noticeboard Facebook pages and its own Facebook page where opinion was divided.

Craig Wotton wrote “very clever design. It appears to meet six stories on Esplanade and higher further back. Well done. Would be terrific to see this go ahead”.

Paul Sharrock agreed and wrote: “Hervey Bay needs things like this; tourism is the lifeblood of the town”.

Peter Burton said “The sooner the better. HB is decades behind the times”.

The "Recreation Deck" on Level 6 is a common hotel and residential space which includes sun lounge areas around the main resort pool with integrated bar as well as a children's pool and playing spaces, grassed village green and BBQ area.

Some readers were on the fence.

Simone Slater wrote in her post: “Those old buildings definitely need to go, but towers would be better down around the harbour”.

Janet Wolff agreed saying “Bring the height down. We don’t want to be the Gold Coast. Sad to see HB turn into a concrete/glass jungle. Develop wisely.”

Others were outraged the proposal was even being considered.

Jody Templeton said: “Yuk! That would be an eyesore and wreck the casual beauty of the bay”.

Julie Lee said: “The transition to the Gold Coast is beginning” while Lola Ann wrote “Oh no. The council are mad if they approve this.”

The council is expected to decide the fate of the resort before the March 2024 elections.

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Originally published as Business owners, residents react to 21-storey resort plan