The Port Report - December 2002

GOSSIP and NEWS

• The main social event of the second half of the year here in "Celebrity Ville" was the enduring and traditional Melbourne Cup. Once again no expense was spared by the locally rich and not so famous to frill the feathers and adopt just the right attitude for this "must go" event.
  
  
• The Port Reporter's society spies voted Sassi's, On the Inlet & Hi Tide as the top three lunch venues but the most popular spot was the Courthouse Hotel which opened their fully renovated premises on the first Tuesday in November. Congratulations to the RAY Group who have done an excellent job on one of Ports most recognized landmarks.
  
  
• Whilst we are technically in the wet season and the stinger net is now in use, he glorious sunny weather continues to prevail and Port Douglas continues to attract a steady stream of notable personalities who come to visit to take time out, relax and have some fun.
  
  
• Our international visitor of the month was Heather Graham who starred alongside Mike Myers in the 'The Spy who Shagged Me' and is over in Australia to promote her new film The Guru. Miss Graham stayed at the Sheraton Mirage and was seen around the pool 'looking fabulous'.
  
  
• Our Australian celebrities spotted visiting the area were from the music and sporting world. Lee Kernaghan who also stayed at the Sheraton, played a round of golf and also gave a performance for an in-house function.
  
  
• The sporting celebrities include Eddie Maguire who was seen looking extremely red faced with a personal trainer…….on a tread mill at the local gym! Also Michael O'Laughlin from the Sydney Swans was spotted boogieing the night away with his girlfriend at local nite spots, the Iron Bar and Nicky G's!!!
  
  
• On the Crime Scene the tale of the inhibited exhibitionist lurking thru the trails of FOURMILE held our attention for a couple of issues of the Gazette… seems to have petered out that story…
  
  
• Port Reporter had a chuckle at the bur-ga-ler who decamped smartly when spotted and considered himself to be well hidden from the searching po-lice until his mobile phone rang to pinpoint his hideout!
  
  
• There is a hell of a battle going on over a Fence out in Four Mile again! That particular area of town is getting far too much publicity lately. Anyway it seems there is something of an on going dispute over who's bathroom can be looked into by who……. its riveting and steamy stuff allright and remember! ----- you read it first here in THE PORT REPORT.

SALES

The market was strong for the August/September/October period with sales occurring through all price ranges.

Starting from base, land sales at PORT GARDENS have been very good ($80,000 - $110,000). Basic units of 1 & 2 bedrooms that bottomed at $60K -$70K last year are now more likely to be around the $100K mark.

Mid Range ($150K - $350K) sold steadily with a noticeable preference from buyers for private rather than holiday apartments. There has been resistance to non-performing holiday units. Increasing on site management charges are also negatively quoted in this regard. Houses were in strong demand with a 10% - 30% INCREASE IN VALUE accordingly.

Mid/High range properties in Port are those in the $350K to $750K bracket. Good sales were recorded on holiday lets as long as the yield was satisfactory. Residential properties sold well with particularly strong prices received for those in PREFERRED LOCATIONS The release of the subdivision details at the Sheraton Resort and the old Four Mile Caravan Park location has attracted unprecedented interest. Prices for lots range from the low $200,s to $1.4m - $1.7m for beachfront selections, which takes us well and truly into the high price range…

Records were set in the top price range with a prestigious property on WHARF ST fetching around $5.0m. A beautiful home with a stunning view. Interest was high on ISLAND POINT but not all offerings were bought. Buyers considered some prices over the top for particular listings and the on going resistance from council to perceived excessive development on the hill deterred others.

IN SUMMARY, the market has been very active with sales recorded across the board. This interest has created a "SELLERS MARKET" in general terms (exceptions apply). The question is - what happens next? The southern states are experiencing a slowing of real estate activity, albeit from a very high level, which some feel may impact here in time. This may well be so but in this agency's opinion demand will continue to be strong for both residential and investment properties with the right credentials. These are a combination of LOCATION, PRICE, YIELD, QUALITY & PRESTIGE.

FOR SALE

• Outrigger has bought the management rights to 3 properties in Port with apartments for sale in two of them - OUTRIGGER HERITAGE & THE COSMOPOLITAN. Professional management by an experienced and heavyweight operator such as Outrigger is a positive factor and should be taken into account. $400K - $500K
  
  
• THE MERIDIAN, an off the plan project scheduled to commence in the New Year is attracting interest with about 10 of the 19 apartments held. Experienced managers and well located. From $350K
  
  
• AQUEOUS APARTMENTS. Details have only just been released of this 37-holiday apartment complex strategically located between Macrossan St and Four Mile Beach. Selection of 1 bedroom and 2 bed/2bath dual key apartments overlooking extensive pool/water features. Already 9 held. Price range $300K - $500K
  
  
• Highly regarded THORNTONS WEST was completed on schedule and looks very impressive. Suitable for owner/occupiers as well as holiday use. Three villas remain for sale @ $550K - $650K for 3 and 4 bedrooms respectively.
  
  
• Only a minute or two's walk and you are standing on Four Mile Beach from proposed SOLANA BY THE BEACH. Small complex of 6 villas of high standard available off the plan. Check the location. Price $650K
  
  
• Select from 6 residential homes exclusively located overlooking THE 5TH FAIRWAY of The Links Golf Course. Cutting edge design and large 1000sqm lots combine to produce a stunning choice of prestigious properties.
  
  
• DEVELOPMENT LAND: Excellent location. Walk to Macrossan St, Four Mile Beach and The Marina Mirage. Zoned High Density. Area 3036sqm. Two street frontages.

Other best selections:

• Yaringa on Garrick
• Pebbly Beach
• Bay Villas
• Fronds
• Melaleuca
• Duplex , Andrews Close
• Monterey
• Radisson Treetops
• Mowbray Valley
• Bougainvillea House

HOLIDAY RENTALS

Tropical Hello. As another year draws to a close, we now have time to breath and reflect on the year that was.

In February / March we attended The Holiday & Travel Shows, Sydney & Brisbane. Both travel shows where excellent and well attended. One of the significant things that came out of the trip was how International conditions seem to be changing every day, marketing our destination will be even more challenging. This is where being member of Port Douglas Daintree Tourist Assoc & TTNQ will become invaluable.

Weather patterns - as the seasons roll through our "wet" is running later each year which means some of our visitors booking later or just staying longer, with clearer days in November and December our UK & European markets are starting to come back there has been a number of new clients from Canada, when quizzed weather and exchange rates seem to come up every time. Diverse international guests - the year 2002 saw a wide range of guests - the Olssons from Iceland, families from Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Canada, Korea, Croatia and even China.

Our Region big WINNER - Port Douglas Daintree Tourism is just one of many tourism representatives in the Douglas Shire to receive recognition at the 2002 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards. The PDDT won two awards in the categories of Significant Festivals & Events for Port Douglas Village Carnivale and Destination Promotion. Remember Carnival weekend in May 23rd through til 25th. The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary again was a big winner for us as Significant Regional Attraction. The Daintree Eco lodge & Spa was a winner in the categories of Eco tourism and Deluxe Accommodation. Again Skyrail Rainforest Cableway led its field for Major Tourist Attraction.

We at Accommodation Port Douglas are looking forward to a busy, prosperous and diverse 2003

STAFF

David Penman has joined us after a successful career in the aircraft industry taking over from Nicola who has finished her year with us and has now moved back into the hotel management field.

David will be supporting Margaret in the day to day running of our expanding permanent rental department.

Mark Flinn has joined us as a trainee in the sales department under the supervision of the REIQ. The twelve month course is a mix of supervised hands on training and intensive class room work, see Marks profile on our staff pages.

THE LAST WORD

With so much unrest in the world, Port Douglas has proven to be an oasis and retreat for a vast array of travellers. The Port Douglas of today may be a far cry from the one street hamlet it used to be up until the early 1970's (you may be interested to know that a block of land in Solander cost approximately $7,000 in 1977), but most would agree that it has retained a certain charm and character, rarely found at popular holiday destinations. Though it hardly feels like it, the Charnley family will be celebrating its 4th Christmas in Australia this year. We never tire of the natural beauty that surrounds us and consider ourselves privileged to live in such a magnificent area. It is said that "selling is a transfer of enthusiasm" (Haesley Cush - REIQ Auctioneer of the Year) and there is no shortage of enthusiasm in this office, which is demonstrated by the rate at which the business has grown over the past 18 months.

As the companies have developed, Christopher has focussed on maintaining our high profile on the major website search engines. If you have a look at either www.accomportdouglas.com.au or www.propertyportdouglas.com.au you will see that the design has been updated. We are also developing www.daintreerealestate.com.au to meet the ever increasing demand for that region. The enquiries that we receive from our 8 websites are varied and quite significant. On a number of occasions potential purchasers from as far a field as UK have walked in to the office clutching a print-out of information that they down-loaded from one of our sites - it's quite a satisfying feeling!!!

All that remains for me to do is to pass on our Warmest Greetings for the Season and the New Year and to thank you for supporting us during 2002.

With Best Regards,
Margaret Charnley