Fraser Coast Council approves development of 18-storey Sheraton resort in Hervey Bay

Briefly:

A luxury hotel development has been approved by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Supporters and opponents have clashed in a debate over the future of Hervey Bay.

What is expected next?

Developer Sunny Beach Land is making plans to begin construction.

A controversial 18-storey, 5-star resort has been approved in regional Queensland, making it the “largest” hotel development north of Brisbane.

Despite stiff opposition from residents and the mayor, the $450 million Sheraton Resort Hervey Bay complex was narrowly approved, with conditions, after heated debate at a Fraser Coast Council meeting on Wednesday.

The luxury development will include hundreds of hotel rooms and residential units over two towers on the picturesque Hervey Bay esplanade, about 300 kilometers north of Brisbane.

More than 100 people attended the meeting which was moved to Hervey Bay Golf Club to accommodate the large turnout.

With every seat and room occupied, questions were raised about whether the project compromised the region’s “special” beachfront essence.

Members of the public erupted in protest and attacked the developer and councilors who supported the plans, forcing Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour to call order several times and threaten to shut down the meeting.

Among the supporters was celebrity Jamie Durie, who has promoted the project for developer Sunny Beach Land.

“We made a little compromise and got it over the line today, it’s a fantastic result for everyone involved,” he said.

This compromise was agreeing to reduce the height of the proposed twin towers from 21 to 18 stories plus a rooftop bar, making it three times taller than the currently tallest building on the square.

The Mantra at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast is also 18 storeys.

Cr Seymour, who has been a staunch opponent of the development, told the meeting he did not believe the project fit the identity of Hervey Bay, which he fell in love with before moving to the town in 2004.

“It was the space, it was the sense of place defined not by the big buildings, not by the buildings in the shadows and seen from Point Vernon, but by the smaller space and sense of scale,” he said.

The co-councillors voted in favor with a final vote of six in favour.

Other conditions imposed by the council included a minimum of 5 stars, construction to be completed within 10 years and “a best practice lighting design plan to manage any impacts on sea turtles and shorebirds and to minimize the artificial brightness of the sky”.

Environmental concerns

The Hervey Bay region is the first whale world heritage site in the world.

Whale tourism operators have previously expressed their support for the project.

But as residents poured out of the scene, one person described the development as the “most controversial” issue facing the community in recent times.

Coral Watch ambassador Zarley Mitchell said she was angered and saddened by the decision, fearing the impact and threat to the marine environment.

“With that comes a lot of negative impacts, light pollution and sediment runoff,” she said.

“When one of these developments is approved, it sets a precedent and we cause irreversible changes.”

Mr Durie said protecting the environment was at the forefront of his mind.

He said this included the impact of stormwater runoff on the shore and energy efficiency.

“My role is to protect and control the environmental integrity of this project,” he said.

“We have worked very closely with Indigenous communities, the local community and the council.”

Sunny Beach Land said the resort would be Australia’s fifth Sheraton and “the largest and most luxurious new hotel between Brisbane and Cairns”.

Director Dan Cuda welcomed the community’s feedback, saying the terms of the council’s approval will be reviewed and plans put in place to begin the project.

Durie said around 1,100 jobs will be created during the construction phase which will start “as soon as possible”.

The project was expected to create around 350 permanent jobs once the hotel is built.

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