Released misleading artistic impression of the size of their proposed 5 floor (with underground car park) hotel premises, plus displayed a model of the building on site at the central car park. Model shows palm trees 4 floor high (I don't think so). The proposal suggests covering Airlie Creek, and claiming that as open space. The proportion of open space left at the site is kept artificially high by including all covered walkways and drives, the covered over creek, plus outdoor areas given over to bar and restaurant use.
This is the first time the public have had a chance to see the proposed plans for this grab of foreshore land.
The public parking area would be partially replaced by approximately half the number of spaces (43) buried underground.
The hilltop overlooking Airlie Beach has been totally stripped of trees and vegetation and reduced to bare earth by environmentally conscious developers. With only a few months to go to the wet season, I sure hope they stabilise it before it turns into a giant mudslide and produces another collapsed hillside resort like in the Snowy Mountains.
Visitors to Airlie Beach can hear the rock drilling from pretty much any area in the town that can see this eyesore, however it is probably particularly bad in resorts like Pinnacles adjoining the destruction.
You can get out of town on Saturday 9 October, and avoid the politicians and the election by attending the Bowen Cup Race day. Reef Gateway Hotel (outside town) have again organised a champagn breakfast, a bus to Bowen Turf Club
Local police reported a troubled weekend starting from Friday 8 October. Six incidents in three hours around drinking establishments in the main street of Airlie Beach. Four drivers were charged with driving under the influence.
Saturday 6 November
Friday 5 November through Sunday 14 November