The Gold Coast Bulletin

A view to kill for at 5-star developmen­t

- PAUL WESTON paul.weston@news.com.au

NEW photograph­s showcase a luxury five-star twin tower developmen­t, which is tipped to put Burleigh on the world tourism map.

Graphics obtained by the Bulletin for the first time show the magnificen­t beach views from hotel rooms along with the upgrade of The Esplanade fronting the resort and residentia­l towers to be built in First Ave.

Developmen­t sources said the project would create almost 1000 jobs in constructi­on and 250 permanent positions in tourism and hospitalit­y employment.

“It is shovel-ready, has funding in place and constructi­on could commence early in 2021,” a developmen­t industry source said.

The Bulletin understand­s talks are far advanced for the resort tower to be managed by an internatio­nally renowned hotel operator.

“This proposed project in Burleigh Heads will be the operator’s first property in Australia,” the industry source said.

“It will enhance the evolution of Burleigh Heads into a thriving national and internatio­nal tourist destinatio­n whilst reinforcin­g and preserving its traditiona­l qualities and community spirit.”

Project operators had told the council the developmen­t would strongly support the business case for the nearby Light Rail Stage 3A project, funded in partnershi­p by the State Government.

The applicatio­n for two towers, each 22 levels, was approved at full council on Tuesday after a marathon debate exposing divided views by both councillor­s and residents.

The council received 724 submission­s – 347 were against and 377 in support. Councillor­s Mark Hammel, Brooke Patterson, Daphne McDonald, Darren Taylor and Peter Young voted against the recommenda­tion for approval by officers.

Cr Pauline Young, who had been the area councillor, spoke strongly for the developmen­t and said 250 permanent jobs would be created by the resort and residentia­l towers. “We are within a market now where our small businesses are struggling. But with a tourism offering as well as a residentia­l offering, this will not only support the existing businesses in the area but increase the opportunit­y for further small businesses,” she said.

“In going forward, we have not got resort-style accommodat­ion in Burleigh.”

Cr Young said the resort would be the first five-star tourist accommodat­ion offering south from Broadbeach to Gold Coast Airport.

“We need to stay competitiv­e within the tourist market. This is increasing the offerings to the local, the national and particular­ly the internatio­nal market, such a highqualit­y offering in the area,” she said.

The hotel resort would appeal to visitors wanting a “less intensive tourist environmen­t”. “A lot of tourists coming to the city now are staying at Broaddbeac­h and Surfers Paradise, which is very intense tourist environmen­t. This will provide a variety in our tourism environmen­t,” she said.

 ??  ?? An artist’s impression­s of the proposed twin tower developmen­t approved for Burleigh Heads esplanade.
An artist’s impression­s of the proposed twin tower developmen­t approved for Burleigh Heads esplanade.

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