Fishing facilities coming to port

COMMERCIAL fishing boats moored along the Port Douglas inlet will soon have marinaside berthings following the first of several approvals for Crystalbrook Collection’s hotel and port redevelopment.

Douglas Shire Council yesterday gave the green light to an application to build a mooring facility, amenities building, wash-down bay and associated civil works at the site.

A condition of the permit was that Crystalbrook entered into an agreement with the Port Douglas Commercial Fishermen’s Association to relocate its moorings, and to retain the slipway.

“Port Douglas was built on the blood and sweat of commercial fishermen, who continue to be such a vital part of our local economy,” Mayor Julia Leu said.

“I could not be more thrilled with the opportunity for a fishermen’s wharf to open down the track, where people buy fresh and local seafood straight from the boat.”

The fishermen’s group was issued a permit last year to occupy about 600sq m next to the proposed marina berths.

Crystalbrook chief executive Mark Davie said there was still work to be done before approvals for the associated $200 million-plus hotel, apartment, dining, entertainment and retail complex were finalised.

He said the company’s three hotel construction projects in Cairns were all on track to meet their completion deadlines.

“The only thing that would impact on that would be unfavourable weather conditions,” he said.

“As you can imagine, the roads slowed us down last week and we lost about three or four days.

“Unfortunately the weather is just something we have to live with in this region.”