The Port Report - March 2002

Easter came early this year and with it a host of visitors. It was terrific to see them all in town filling the tour boats, cafes, restaurants and beach, like they had never been away. Reports from the accommodation houses say numbers were down marginally from previous years but day-trippers were up, leading to the busiest Sunday Markets since December.

Down near the markets is the nearly derelict sugar wharf, which was the old Ben Cropp's Museum. The Douglas Shire Council, after putting the building out to tender, has awarded the tender to LIPS oo Low Isles Preservation Society to establish and "interpretive center". We're still not sure what exactly that is! We also question the wisdom of knocking back two commercial operators who could have improved and maintained the building and hope this decision does not turn out to be an improvident one for the ratepayers of the Shire.

Sales

• The month was quite active and we have seen some fairly significant sales go through. The Port o' Call backpackers sold for reportedly over $3 million. This is an interesting property as it was bought in 1996 for $1.5 mill then sold in 1998 for a rumoured $2.6 mill. Backpackers are still strong.
• Some 28 acres of beachfront rainforest at Cape Tribulation sold $870,000.
• Solander Boulevard house sold after 4 days on the market, for $470,000.
• A Thorntons West 3 bedroom luxury villa has been spoken for at $510,000.

Project Report

• A new development of 19 units has been released for sale "off the plan" see The Meridian. This project has been launched by a local business identity and is an obvious display of confidence in the area.
• The Meridian - Cnr Davidson and Mowbray. The project comprises 15 x 2 bed (dual occupancy) and 3 one-bedroom units set on half an acre close to town and beach. They will be triple deluxe with only the best and most tasteful of fittings. Fully furnished and priced from $375 - 535K they will average $4000 - 5000 per m2.
• The Pavilions - Macrossan St. How's this for a special - a one bedroom fully furnished and managed were $205K now $149K developer requests urgent sale which represents $2200 per m2. The 2 bed dual occupancy were $310,500 but have now been slashed to $249K. Remember this is a nearly new complex in Macrossan Street. Similar new buildings in the street are nearly $4000 per m2. - Strong buy.
• Saltwater - Macrossan St. Situated at the main intersection in town this is another stylish project of 17 units by Juniper who "has already changed the face of Mooloolaba". These apartments range in price from $335K for a 2 bed and $560K for a 3 bed, equivalent to a range of $2701 - 4540 per m2. As only two have names on, a "wait and see" attitude is recommended.
• Central Plaza - Beryl Street. Only 9 left in this winning development and the roof is on and a display unit now available for inspection. There is every possibility this will sell out prior to completion. See Hot Properties for a special. Strong Buy.
• Plantation House - Solander Blvd/Andrews Cl. This has been a terrific success with all the units selling prior to completion in the $600K price range. The developers have now come up with an exclusive villa for the balance of the land. It's 3 bed + study, double garage and own private pool and will be beautifully landscaped and fenced. $735K. Buyers in this ranger must consider.

Hot Properties

• Repeat see The Pavilions in Project Report - Macrossan St - slashed from $205K to $149K BUY! BUY!
• Rydges Reef Resort: Two-bedroom townhouse in this great family resort, pools, restaurants etc perfect weekender or holiday unit. It's fully furnished and set up for holiday letting. This owner is getting very keen to move on and has set a bargain price of $120K and will listen to all offers!
• Last month reported on a Mowbray by the Sea luxury 2 bed 2 bath at $375K. Now only $369K and in one of the best positions in town. see Virtual Tour.
• Coral Sea Drive: Views of the Coral Sea 4 bed timber home on 3 acres with heaps of tropical fruit trees. Give us an offer on $295K.
• Half a duplex close to Mirage with 2 bed and 2 bath in a quiet leafy cul-de-sac, rents like a dream $199K.
• Villa Sorrento - 2 bed 2 bath near new unit 300 metres to Macrossan St and beach - value here @ $189K.

The Goss

The woman in charge of the Sheraton Villas didn't seem to know (or wouldn't let on!) what the clearing of the vegetation at the Northern end of the Sheraton land was for (to the North of the Par 3 sixth). Nor did the GM's PA, so this quite radical clearing, the first in anybody's recent memory, seemed worthy of further investigation.

The whole town was talking about it but no one had any answers. So, after a call to the Sheraton GM, who swore he managed the hotel and not the land around it so didn't know what was going on, we contacted Mirage Centre Management. Their response was hardly enlightening "it's being cleared so they (the owners) can have a look at it"…"to sell it or to develop it?"…"no, just to have a look at it". So we try the Council who volunteered that they had approval to clear anything under 25 cm in diameter possibly to take levels to build new villas but he couldn't really say what they were doing as no decision had been made as yet. Curiouser and Curiouser… Stay tuned and we'll get to the bottom of it!

More exciting new is that a Noosa based developer has approached council with a proposal to develop a twin cinema complex close to the main street. One wonders where it could be? Betting is somewhere in Warner St! It should do well as with the demise if the outdoor cinema at Regattas (due to complaining yachties) there is a demand for such a facility.

Don't forget to start making plans for Carnivale in May which is on a little earlier this year - on the weekend 24 - 26 May - it's just great!!

Some interesting figures from the CSIRO tell us that the region in 1996 produced 3153 tonnes of prawns and 106 tonnes of mud crab and that is definitely part of the "magic that is Port Douglas"

Holiday Accommodation Update

Tropical Hello from Wayne.

There has been a huge surge in bookings for the forthcoming year 2002 & early 2003.Most of the interest at this stage is European based, which takes in UK, Scandinavian countries especially Holland. The reason for this would be attributed to Port Douglas being affordable and safe. Other markets of interest would be USA & New Zealand, which are both on line as per previous years, with only a small increase, but I feel that this will grow as Sept 11 slips in history.

Brisbane "Escape" Consumer Show - April 12-14: This year I attended this event was held at the Convention Centre in Brisbane, the attendance figures were 12% up on last year, which is reassuring. Approximately 22, 880 attended this 2½-day travel show, which highlighted not only Australia but also other popular tourist destinations & countries. Port Douglas Daintree Tourist Association booth was well received and the consumer questions were varied and different just like the age & backgrounds of the attending consumers. Personally I had well over fifty serious enquiries mainly in the 25 to 40 year age group looking for better quality property for 10 days or more, the best type of customer for Port.

Contacting Us

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

Disclaimer: This material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but because it may have been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions or withdrawal without notice.