Billionaire Businessman Slams Council / Statement Of Response From Mayor Ry Collins

A night of tourism industry celebration was briefly thrown into chaos when billionaire businessman and owner of Coral Sea Marina Resort Paul Darrouzet elected to use his platform to give an award recipient speech to slam Whitsunday Regional Council.

The Whitsunday Tourism Awards took place on Daydream Island last Saturday with 366 tourism representatives present to celebrate their successes and hopefully receive an industry award.

Paul Darrouzet was present on the evening to accept the Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Contribution By an Individual, reflecting his impressive work transforming what was Abell Point Marina into the multi-award winning Coral Sea Marina Resort we see today.

Standing on-stage to give his acceptance speech, Mr Darrouzet instead surprised the audience by embarking on an extensive dialogue that specifically criticised Council and Councillors.

His 15-minute speech caused a stir in the crowd, with some members of the audience feeling compelled to leave the room when he began criticizing neighbouring townships within the region.

Whitsunday Regional Council are a major sponsor of the Whitsundays Tourism Awards and had recently announced an increase of funding toward the organisation, allocating $1 million, which is larger than any previous year.

The contents of Mr Darrouzet’s speech put a significant strain on relations between all parties.

Tourism Whitsundays offered the following statement on the matter:

“During the ceremony, we were proud to present the prestigious Bob Porter Award. We acknowledge that some of the comments made by the recipient do not align with the views of Tourism Whitsundays or the broader industry. We remain focused on the positive achievements and dedication of our tourism operators and stakeholders who contribute to the success of our region.”

Many people on the night remarked that they respected Mr Darrouzet’s right to hold such views but believed them to be quite divisive and that a night of celebration was not the correct platform in which to deliver it.

Thankfully, after the speech concluded Emcee Ben Southall was quick to resume proceedings and the night continued with the party atmosphere that was intended.

The evening was a credit to the hardworking Tourism Whitsundays team, and everyone enjoyed much merriment.

In the following pages of this newspaper you will be able to read Paul Darrozet’s entire speech from the night and also read responses from Mayor Ry Collins on some significant local issues mentioned in that speech.

‍

Owner of Coral Sea Marina Resort Paul Darrouzet giving his controversial speech at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards on Saturday night. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

‍

‍

Find the full speech here: https://youtu.be/qRmux6QrqLw?t=1853&si=adN_q0DRWYSsWwVu

‍

Statement Of Response
From Mayor Ry Collins

Overall, what does Council think about Paul Darrouzet's speech on Saturday night - what would Council like to say in response?
 
My Councillors and I welcome open dialogue and the chance for feedback from community members and business leaders and this can be done through multiple official channels to ensure a response from Council. A Tourism awards night celebration is not an appropriate forum!
 
As Mayor for just 7 months, I was extremely disappointed and saddened by the divisive and unfounded allegations presented on what was an evening to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our tourism industry. Disappointed that an award winner would use a tourism celebration platform for their own agenda and sad that our amazing tourism operators, who have worked so hard to rebuild after COVID-19, had their night overshadowed by these actions.
 
From the Collinsville Pit Pony outback experience to the Big Mango and amazing beaches and bays in Bowen, to the cane fields and barra fishing in Proserpine and the buzzing resort town of Airlie Beach and our 74 tropical islands, Council along with Tourism Whitsundays, has worked tirelessly to promote and develop the region. Our partnership has always been strong, and we remain committed to working together for the betterment of the Whitsundays.
 

Since 2008 Council has been split into divisions with a Councillor representing each division. What are the benefits of this? Do you have any plans to change it?

At present the Whitsunday Regional Council comprises of myself as Mayor and six Councillors who are each elected from individual divisions. Electoral Divisions allow for councillors to be truly local representatives (for their division), easily accessible to residents and more aware of local issues and contribute to ensuring that sectional interests are less likely to dominate the council. Councillors overriding responsibility is to the entire Council region.
 
In Queensland, local government areas are often large and diverse, which makes the choice between divisional and undivided councils significant.
 
Divisional councils tend to work better in areas with varied demographics and geographic diversity, where it’s important to ensure that smaller or rural communities have a representative voice. Undivided councils may be more suitable for smaller, more homogeneous areas where local issues are less varied, and a region-wide approach to governance is more effective​.
 
Each structure has its trade-offs, and the choice often depends on the size, demographics, and specific needs of the local government area in question.
 
What do you say in response to the assertion that the 4 Councillors who live outside of Airlie/Cannonvale control the votes and the funding?

Council decisions are made through a democratic process, with each Councillor casting their vote based on the needs of their division and the broader interests of the Whitsundays.
 
Funding is not controlled by specific Councillors. All major funding decisions are based on merit, community needs, and strategic priorities for the entire region, not just one locality.

It was also asserted that there have been no capital upgrades in Airlie Beach in 46 years - is that accurate?

Airlie Beach Main Street has borne the brunt of the tourism industry success and growth that we have seen in recent years, especially post COVID. My Council has recognised this and has been actively working on maintenance and improvements while undergoing consultation and planning of a new overall Airlie Beach precinct plan for renewal and a long-term sustainable solution.
 
In recent years, Airlie Beach/Cannonvale has seen hundreds of capital upgrades, including almost $1 million in Airlie Main Street upgrades in the last 12 months alone. Our recent investment into tourism infrastructure and local community projects clearly demonstrate that Airlie Beach remains a key priority for Council.
 
Capital projects since the $20 million Airlie Beach Main Street upgrade was completed in 2013 include: $7 million Airlie Foreshore revitalisation, $60 million Shute Harbour Marina reconstruction, $20 million Airlie Main Street Upgrade, $35 million Cannon Valley Reservoir and pipeline to new reservoir, Whitsunday Water Security and Resilience Program and Treatment Plant, Coconut Grove movie screen and foreshore mega playground, Cannonvale foreshore upgrade , Welcome to Airlie sign, Starfish roundabout , Refurbishing of Airlie Beach toilet block, Refurbishing of Lagoon toilet block, Heart of the Reef sign and landscaping, Skate bowl in Cannonvale – Stage 1 & 2, Whitsunday Lakes Playgrounds, boardwalk and boardwalk lighting, Waterson Way carpark, Port of Airlie Terminal Upgrade, Shute Harbour Road – upper carpark extension, Ocean Road reconstruction, VMR pedestrian bridge, Woodwark Crescent stormwater relining, Cannonvale Transfer Station upgrade, Airlie Lagoon Deck, Airlie Foreshore Lighting, Campbell Creek embankment works, Shute Harbour lookout upgrade, Golf Views Court stormwater renewal, Airlie Beach bus stops, Airlie Lagoon shared path, Bicentennial Boardwalk stages 1 and 2 upgrades,  Wambiri/Adina St intersection renewal, Cannonvale entry sign, Beach Road drainage and footpath upgrade, Jubilee Pocket footpaths, Mandalay Road upgrade, Jubilee Pocket Road upgrade.
 
 
How does Council ensure all funding is spread equally across the divisions?

Council makes decisions for the whole of the local government area not just an electoral division, so all decisions are made in the public interest, for the community at large.
 
There is no process where the funding is distributed across the electoral divisions and the current services and levels of service provided by Council are made with the whole region in mind. How services are delivered or maintained can vary but is generally of the same standard no matter where you live or who is your representative councillor.

Funding for services and infrastructure needs are driven by a range of factors including asset management principles and the type and condition of infrastructure which are also impacted by past decisions and are influenced by time as a number of assets have long lives and require significant investment and ongoing maintenance funding.
 
Generally, the funding and services are spread equitably across the region over time which means more in some years than others but on average and over time this investment and the services delivered even out. There is no set formula for who gets what and where.

What would happen if our region was de-amalgamated?
 
De-amalgamation would likely result in a reduction of shared resources and the loss of efficiencies gained through unified governance. The amalgamation of divisions has allowed us to pool resources, leverage shared infrastructure, and present a stronger, united voice for the entire Whitsunday region. De-amalgamation could create fragmentation and financial challenges as the entire region benefits from the current regional structure.

 
Some other issues raised on the night were - affordable housing for workers, high rise plans for the Foreshore and a carpark on Waterson Way – what would Council like to respond to this?

Affordable housing is a significant issue across Australia, and I have been proactive in actively working with both state and federal governments to explore solutions. Council ensures that all development proposals undergo rigorous consultation and planning processes to balance growth with community needs and environmental sustainability.
 
The Council at the time supported the 5 Star, 12 storey resort development at Airlie Beach, and the Planning and Environment Court agreed it was an appropriate development.

Anything else you would like to add?
 
Our Whitsunday region is an incredibly special part of the world, and my Councillors and I are dedicated to ensuring its prosperity for future generations.
 
I would like to welcome new Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth and my Council looks forward to working closely with Tim and his team.
 
As Mayor and only being in the role for 7 months my major focus is looking forward building a vibrant future for our diverse community. One Council, One Region , One Whitsunday.

‍