Island plans pass critical roads hurdle

AFTER years of negotiations, the contentious billion-dollar Whitsunday Paradise project is one step closer to reality after receiving approval for the construction and upgrades of roads from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Due to the size of the development, significant infrastructure and road networks would be required, which have now been given the green light.

The Greater Rewards Group is the Gold Coast-based company behind the project.

It lodged plans for the development of 2000 homes and apartments, and has been in negotiations with the State Government since 2018.

A department spokeswoman said the department’s role was to act as a technical advisory agent to the Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation to assist with finalising development applications.

She confirmed that they had reached an agreement with the Whitsunday Paradise developers.

“We have reviewed this development application and reached an in-principle agreement with the applicant,” she said.

“We are now finalising the required documentation.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has approved plans to upgrade the Bruce Highway at the intersections with Adelaide Point Rd, Ocean View Drive and Don St.

The department has also approved the planned construction of a yet-to-be-named new access road to the 269ha Whitsunday Paradise site, which sits 8km south of Bowen.

The development is still awaiting further approvals from the State Government and Whitsunday Regional Council before work can start.

A spokesman for the Whitsunday Regional Council said they had not been notified about the latest government decision and they understood that the State Government had extended the overall approval period to July 9.

Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch said after months of waiting for the approval, it was a positive step in the right direction and Bowen was one step closer to securing the project.

“We’ve been waiting for this, we are delighted to hear it,” he said.

“Now that’s in place we can move forward. The next step now is to move to the council for their approvals.

“This is excellent news; be a boom for Bowen.” it’ll