Eco-resort verdict near

Developer confident of federal approval

DEVELOPERS of a $100 million eco-resort proposed for Ellis Beach are hopeful of receiving an environmental tick of approval from the Federal Government within the next two weeks.

Melbourne-based Bellbird Park Developments Pty Ltd has sought permission to develop environmentally sensitive holiday accommodation on a 1ha block of hillside land, about 27km north of Cairns.

The project has been in the works since about 2015. The developers have held a lease for the property on the western side of the Captain Cook Highway for more than a decade.

They have had to prove to the Department of Environment and Energy that they will not harm endangered species such as the opal cling goby, the common mistfrog, the waterfall frog and the Australian lacelid frog.

Steve Harrison, the development’s project director, said he believed a decision from the department was imminent.

“To be honest, we have done whatever we can to ensure that the project has minimal impact on the site,” he said.

“In fact, it will embellish and get a better outcome on the site than what’s there at the moment in terms of vegetation and buffering and protecting.

“I can’t wait to see it built, because I think it will just fit so well in that space.”

The eco-resort’s initial concept includes 221 rooms of accommodation, in a range of styles, to cater for a variety of different patrons.

The development’s construction would be carried out over eight stages.

The first will be a three-storey motel, including a dining room and ancillary tourist retail spaces on the site.

The next seven stages would consist of lightweight one and two-storey buildings constructed on the slopes.

The buildings are to be built on top of pillars or columns to reduce its environmental footprint.

The project has been compared to Thala Beach Nature Reserve, south of Port Douglas, which was recently recognised by National Geographic as one of the world’s best ecotourism experiences.

“I don’t see this as any different from Thala Beach,” Mr Harrison said.

“In fact, I see this as an upgrade to Thala Beach,” he said.

“That’s what’s exciting, and in terms of what is in Cairns at the moment, I think it can be complementary with what’s on offer there.”

He said once federal approval was granted, the company would seek development approvals from Cairns Regional Council.