Hotel development receives tick of approval

Townsville City Council has formally approved the development application for a new hotel adjacent to The Ville Hotel and Casino on the breakwater.

Deputy Mayor and chairperson of Council’s Planning and Development Committee, Cr Mark Molachino, said the development would provide a welcome boost to the city’s tourism and hospitality sector.

“There’s no doubt that the past 15 months have been difficult with COVID-19 casting a long shadow over our local tourism and hospitality sector,” Cr Molachino said.

“That the proponents of this development brought this application forward for consideration is a real vote of confidence in our local tourism industry as well as the wider Townsville and North Queensland community.

“Council’s planning team have undertaken a thorough assessment of the application and given it the green light, subject to a number of conditions covering issues such as parking, traffic and noise management.”

Cr Molachino said the centrepiece of the application was an eight storey, architecturally-designed hotel which will be curved to capture the views towards Magnetic Island and back to Castle Hill.

“The accommodation component of the development consists of 137 hotel rooms, each with their own private balconies; a central reception area; restaurant; ancillary offices; and recreational facilities,” he said.

“The eighth level of the new hotel will include a tapas bar, restaurant, infinity pool and an expansive deck. An undercover pedestrian walkway will link the development site directly with the existing hotel and casino.

“To the west of the private road is a new 150 space public car park, with a further 20 parks to the east to be established for staff parking.”

Cr Molachino said Council officers would continue to work with the project proponents to enable construction to start as soon as possible.

“Importantly this project also supports jobs during the construction phase as well as once the hotel is fully-operational,” he said.

Morris Group Owner Chris Morris welcomed the announcement and said construction on the luxury hotel would be underway soon.

“We’re pleased to hear that Townsville City Council has approved the application. That’s really the final piece in the puzzle, so now we can move forward with our plans and start work,” Mr Morris said.

“The region has so much to offer for the tourism industry, which is why we’ve been happy to continue investing in The Ville and the Northern Escapes Collection including Orpheus Island, Daintree Eco Lodge, and Mount Mulligan Lodge.

“We know that this piece of land is particularly special to the local community so we’ve spent some time making sure we’re creating something spectacular that everyone can be proud of; and we’re pretty confident we’ve achieved that.”