Island site a rare opportunity

A MOST distinctive piece of land on Thursday Island has been listed for sale.

Lot 61 Douglas St, which faces Ellis Channel and has a long history of industrial use as a slipway, wharf area, seabed lease, maintenance depot and accommodations, is on the market due to the retirement plans of its owners.

Colliers International (Cairns) managing director Stacey Quaid said the slice of the Torres Strait was a “combination of substantial freehold with on water seabed lease and its own commercial jetty which presents a development opportunity that should not be underestimated”.

“The property comprises an 8004sq m freehold site plus the adjacent 2.3ha leasehold providing for wharf, carpark, marine processing plant,” Mr Quaid said.

“Development on the site includes several residential and industrial buildings which provide a holding income and from which the Rebel Marine ferry business, private slipway and live crayfish processing business currently operates.

“With its Residential 2 zoning and shortage of accommodation on Thursday Island, it is envisaged that the site will have a higher density value and could be ideally suited for residential development.”

Previously, plans which remain relevant were developed for the construction of 30 multi-level luxury apartments overlooking the Arafura Sea.

There is also the option of redeveloping the existing wharf, commercialising the slipway, or developing more on-water facilities.

The site is located on the prime south eastern end of the island, with views towards Horn Island and the surrounding ocean channels of the beautiful Arafura Sea.