The Port Report - August 2002

Port Douglas, holiday venue for the RICH and FAMOUS continues to attract a steady stream of publicity on celebrities that have been seen walking the walk and talking the talk along Macrossan St. The Port Reporter updates….

BRAD Pitt has allegedly bought property in the area but nobody seems to know where exactly. As far as Ray White Port Douglas goes we have no comment on the rumours that this agency was involved in negotiations on behalf of Mr. Pitt…

KYLIE Minogue was spotted shopping with MUM at Rex Lookout Value Holiday Wear.

RUMPOLE fans were saddened to learn of the recent death of Leo McKERN who helped to put this area on the map when he starred in Traveling North, which was filmed in Port Douglas in 1987.

The veterans of the Belfast RUGBY CLUB from Christchurch NZ played the local over 35ers recently at the Port Sports Oval in front of an almost capacity crowd including a couple of lost Japanese tourists, a party of disorientated corporate cyclists on a MISSION, and various other assorted bodies. This inaugural match was lacking a referee until a southern visitor stepped out of the mêlée and announced he was qualified to ref and happened to be carrying his kit in the car! Quite uncanny…

Still on sport - the Port CROCS continue to lead the local AFL competition whilst the Douglas Shooting Club performed well in a recent interclub meet against a
TABLELANDS TEAM.

The CRIME Report lacks any arrests of note but the local police are to be commended on their street patrols of an evening ON FOOT!

SALES:

Activity has been in keeping with the increase in numbers into town with some good sales, particularly in the midrange price category.

The most significant sale has been the Berentson Hacienda on SOLANDER Boulevard, which has reportly sold for $2.6m. By far and way the highest price paid for a residential property in Port outside of Island Point.

Also heard on the GRAPEVINE was the acquisition of a beachfront home at OAK Beach for $1.1m or thereabouts. Quite incredible considering the land was bought for $6,000 about 30 years ago.

The backers of The PINK FLAMINGO, the new GAY spot (near the fire station), have bought the vacant land next door for $750K. This will double the area for the alternate lifestylers to holiday at and in.

Steady holiday apartment sales have been recorded at BEACHES, MOWBRAY by the SEA, CORAL SEA VILLAS, BALBOA and a couple of other established properties.

Local Sales have also been steady with vacant land, homes and apartments selling in Pacific Park, Four Mile and Reef Park.

PROJECTS:

OUTRIGGER ON THE INLET, (The Courthouse Hotel site) has some resales, which have attracted interest despite a price increase. OUTRIGGER HERITAGE is due to open in a month or so - still 5 for sale at this stage. Excellent management operator

SALTWATER by Junipers is been promoted heavily along with the other Juniper properties on offer in the region. Stylish downtown apartments with a good selection still available.

CENTRAL PLAZA is now open for business with all 28 apartments sold.

THE LINKS is going along well with a noticeable increase in occupancy this year, which is to be expected. Hard to beat if you want to walk to golf.

LATITUDE 16 on Island Point has only one villa remaining for sale at $895K. Location, location.

THORNTON'S WEST is well underway with completion scheduled for November. Two of the 10 villas remain for sale @ $562k - $650k. Excellent property.

FRONDS at Four Mile represent value at $ 260k for a generous 3-bed/ 2-bath townhouse near The Links.

HOT PROPERTIES:

18 ANDREWS CL. Two story home on 930sqm lot with direct access to Four Mile Beach. Arguably the best buy in town $430K

VILLA SAN MICHELLE. One-bedroom holiday apartments well located in Macrossan St. Yield in excess of 6%pa. From $145K

CASCADES. Two bedroom ground floor unit currently renting for $250 pw! Walk to town. $135K

MELALEUCA. Stylish 2bed/2.5 bath townhouse with private yard and own pool. Timber features, quality workmanship. Small group, handy position. $275K.

REFLECTIONS. Holiday apartment at beach end of Macrossan St. Quality ground floor location. Under on site management. $319K

NEWELL BEACH. Cute two story home with views to Coral Sea from upstairs rear balcony. Double garage. Steal @ $179k.

THE VILLA, PLANTATION HOUSE. Only a week or two from completion this very presentable property comes with its own title (i.e. freehold). Great location. $750K

CAPE TRIBULATION. 1.2ha in the village (cleared) with dwelling. Good return in this growth area. $275K

THE STATS & OTHER INFO:

Those interested in MANAGEMENT RIGHTS should read the excellent summary of this industry listed on our website. Note the trend to a more corporate presence in this most important area. A must read for holiday unit owners.

Recently received statistics on real estate sales in the DOUGLAS SHIRE during 2001 make for compelling reading. Note that the Shire extends from Ellis Beach, north of Cairns, to the Bloomfield River, 35ks beyond Cape Tribulation, a distance of 140ks approximately.)

Total sales for 2001 for the entire shire were $202 million. The 5km peninsula of Port Douglas was responsible for $93 million - almost 50% of the total. Unit sales accounted for 2/3rds of the Port total followed by house sales ($22m) and vacant land sales ($6.9m). These are very healthy stats from a Port Douglas point of view.

The Port Reporter also gleans from the above data (and other secret sources) that the area of growth in the shire looks to be the Daintree/Cape Tribulation region. Our profile in this area will increase accordingly particularly via our Internet sites so stay tuned for regular updates.

New Member of Staff

Jocelyn Mawer has joined us as the newest member of the team. Jocelyn will be working with us for the next few months on work experience and her role is to assist the management team with administration duties.

Contacting Us

We have had a number of enquires for our direct contact details: