The region’s first five-star resort in more than 30 years has been unanimously approved in what’s being labelled a “significant” milestone for the local tourism economy.
Noosa Council voted in favour of a motion recommending the approval of the 186-unit resort at Noosa Heads.
Known as The Calile Noosa, it will be located across 2.4 hectares of land at 3 and 7 Serenity Close, within the master-planned Settlers Cove precinct.
Councillors voted on the development a General Meeting on Monday after the recommendation for approval was referred from the Planning and Environment meeting last week.
Mayor Frank Wilkie moved a motion for the approval after crediting a “very thorough report” detailing how the application met the Noosa planning scheme.
He commended the applicant, Calile Malouf Investments, and Noosa Council planning staff of working together to produce the “quality” outcome for the site.
“It’s very gratifying when an application of this nature and quality comes before council,” he said.
“Gratifying because of the wiliness of the applicants to work with the planning staff in the interest of getting a quality outcome.
“It’s an excellent example of a quality over quantity development and (the applicant’s) professionalism and willingness to work with professional town planning staff is a testament to them.
“I think the outcome is the best we can hope for.
“It’s fully aligned with the intention of the planning scheme for this site, which has always had it set aside for a five-star resort.
“It’s been 30 years since this shire has had a five-star resort and I think it will raise the standard long term of accommodation across the shire.”
The application was for another change to an existing approval for a 199-unit resort on the site, dating back to 2010.
The updated plans will now see 186 units built across four storeys, with basement carparking and a roof top vegetable garden.
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All built form has also been moved from the conservation areas into the Tourism Accommodation Zone.
“This is a massive improvement on the existing approval and the development is now fully cited in the Tourist Accommodation Zone,” Cr Wilkie said.
“There are increased landscaping setbacks to Serenity Close, reduced number of units, increased onsite car parking, increased landscaping and retention of natural vegetation.”
During the meeting, Councillor Brian Stockwell spoke of how the design produced a “look and feel” consistent with the Noosa Plan and set the standard for other developers.
“It’s meeting a need and it’s also setting a standard so other developers can have a look at and see how it is done to actually respect the Noosa plan and respect the long-term values of Noosa,” Cr Stockwell said.
“As the mayor said, it’s quality over quantity.”
It is understood the development will directly inject $338 million into Noosa’s economy, with a further indirect boost of $663 million.
It will also create more than 60 local jobs.
Calile Malouf Investments is the developer behind Brisbane’s five-star The Calile Hotel at Fortitude Valley.
