A local billionaire businessman is looking to unite 27 disparate community groups to form an association to fight for the protection of our unique tourism offering which he views, is in jeopardy.
Paul Darrouzet, owner of Coral Sea Marina Resort in Airlie Beach gave a passionate speech at last weeks’ Tourism Whitsunday Networking evening which was attended by over 100 tourism operators.
During his speech he voiced his concerns about the Port of Airlie high-rise development, stating that the developers have no intention of building a complex that has been approved by Council.
He believes they will sub-divide into 13 blocks and place a high-rise on two.
“People arrive for a beautiful visitor experience, they don’t arrive to stare at the arse end of a high-rise,” he said.
“When they come over the hill, they want to see boats, they want to see islands - our built environment and our natural environment is the reason people come here and we can’t prostitute the entire process by allowing this.”
Mr Darrouzet said that the tourism industry had shared a vision for creating “the Monaco of the South Pacific”, a goal he believes they have achieved, but could also be diluted if high-rises are allowed.
“What we need is high quality, low volume, high yielding great experiences for people that matter,” he said.
“Otherwise, it’s profitless prosperity – you’re working your arse off for people that don’t matter for an outcome that’s not good.”
Stating that it would make more financial sense for him to build a skyrise at Coral Sea Resort, Mr Darrouzet said that he agrees with the community groups, that it would not fit with the vision for Airlie Beach.
“See this land you stand on here? I own it, freehold,” he said.
“The highest and best use of this land is a 40-story high-rise – anyone in favour of that? No. And I’m not going to do it.
“So long as there is breath in my body, there won’t be a high-rise here, there won’t be a high-rise at Shingley Beach and there will not be high rise at the front of Airlie Beach.”
Mr Darrouzet said that he hopes to work alongside community groups and address issues with Council to create change and ensure a shared vision for the future is developed.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
