The Port Report - March 2003

Gossip And News

• The papers have been dominated recently by a council initiative to allow an Airpark to be built near Cooya Beach. Obvious concerns have been raised about noise and pollution issues but the flipside to this is the jobs it may bring to the area and other developments to the surrounding region.
• There was also speculation regarding Russell Crowe's new film being shot in the Port Douglas area. We will be sure to let you know more definite dates if we find out this is the case, so that everyone can book their holidays through Wayne and Jocelyn at Accommodation Port Douglas and you can try and get a glimpse of the Oscar winner!!
• The saga of the toilet block that the Douglas Shire Council is planning to erect on Rotary Park continues with the two camps bitterly divided. It seems that the majority of business owners along Macrossan Street welcome the idea, because they are fed up with the public using the facilities meant for their customers. However, there is growing concern from many locals that an undersirable element will be drawn to the building, thus spoiling the very nature of this historic, memorial Park. We shall keep you advised of progress.

Sales

• Sales have continued to be steady over the festive season and through the first 2 months of 2003. Whilst we expected a fairly high level of activity in the first half of January, what has been surprising is that the level has been sustained through to the time of writing.
• With strong interest through our internet sites sales have been made right across the price range. At the top end, this agency sold a beachfront property on Oak Beach for in excess of $800,000 and two development sites in town for round the $600,000 plus mark.
• Excellent contracts have also been written on a number of properties in the $100,000-$250,000 range with local buyers being particularly active. As a result a listings drive is underway. Please contact the sales department for an obligation free valuation of your property if you are considering selling.

For Sale

• 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.
• 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.
• Highly regarded Thorntons West was completed on schedule and with only two left a very good option for overseas investors it all looks impressive over looking the golf course. Suitable for owner/occupiers as well as holiday use.
• 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
• Development Land: Excellent location. Within walking distance of Macrossan St and Four Mile Beach these three blocks are zoned High Density and totaling an area of some 3036sqm with two street frontages. These blocks can be purchased individually.
• Monterey on Port - having been built in the last few years and proven very popular as a permanant rental property.
• Nautilus Holiday Apartments - These large apartments were completed in mid 2000 and are located 300 metres from the beach and within easy walking distance of Macrossan Street……
• Reef Club - this one bed holiday unit is very well appointed and is priced to create interest.
• Surya - this beach front holiday complex has returned better than expected occupancy in its first full year and there is every indication the bookings will be up again for 2003 making this an interesting opportunity.
• Barefoot Villas - a brave new development of four luxury houses in the Mudlo area that will appeal to those looking for a second home in the Tropic's for extended visits.

Other properties that are of interest:

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

Holiday Rentals

Tropical Hello.

January and February have seen a good number of enquiries from our website and Easter is beginning to fill up nicely. We are also seeing a good indication already for July and August particularly for those properties was good beach access.

We would like to welcome on board Kingfisher Villa and Thornton West to our website, which are 3 and 4 bed roomed properties with their own pools. We are confident that these will prove to be very popular with families.

Have a look at the Accommodation Port Douglas website to view all or our properties. Please also note that one of the Surya units is for sale if you wish to invest and have yourself a holiday home!

This year has already seen an up turn in our wedding and conference business, many as a direct result of favourable recommendations from the suitably impressed customers of the last two seasons, to all those concerned a big thank you.

The Daintree

Daintree Real Estate is now up and running with quite a few listings of Houses and Land for sale. The web site has proven to be quite popular, with lots of enquiries and emails coming in. A lot of questions we receive are about further sub division, power and water availability as well as Council permits and clearing restrictions north of the river. So we have decided to dedicate the First Daintree news letter to clearing up a lot of the questions about these concerns.

The Cow Bay/Cape Tribulation area was first subdivided in the 1970s and it was not until the early 1980s that the area was first declared World Heritage listing, and further sub division was halted. In June 2000, the census showed that of the 1130 to 1180 freehold blocks available in the area, 361 are settled, while 675 vacant blocks remain unsettled. Only 100 have been purchased by the Wet Tropics for conservation due to their rare biodiversity.

Most of the concerns we receive are about power supply and water to the blocks. All blocks have availability of telephone lines although trenches have to be made by the land owner and a local grader operator is happy to do this at a reasonable price.

Telstra is happy to connect your phone line as the service is the same as anywhere else. Telstra will help with further enquiries on this. Internet and computers are no problem north of the river; many residences and business's are "on the net".

There are three options for:

• Power, Solar panels. A government rebate applies to this of $7,500.
• Hydro. An excellent alternative if a creek runs through your land. Government rebate applies.
• Generator power. Not the best but are good sources until either hydro or Solar are ready.

The other concern that we often receive is water supply, Again there are three options:

• Rain water from the roof is the cheapest way to obtain water and the high rainfalls make it possible to receive enough water to suit your needs.
• Creek water can be pumped from the creek if you have access to one. Water permits are required from the Department of Natural resources, but there are no real problems with this.
• Bore water is a natural alternative with the main cost being the drilling of the bore.

We hope that this has answered some of your questions regarding purchasing land and property in the Daintree. For more information regarding these issues, please visit the Daintree Real Estate website.

Staff

We are pleased to announce that we have 2 new members of staff. Leanne Anderson will be assisting David Penman in the property management department. Leanne brings with her a wealth of experience from the accounting and retail industry, having recently moved from the Gold Coast.

Our other new member of staff is Tracey Gallagher who is our new sales representative for the Daintree. Tracey has lived in the region for the past few years and her knowledge of the Daintree made her an ideal candidate to help us increase sales in this area. We wish her lots of success!! Please have a look at the new website for the Daintree which is www.daintreerealestate.com.au.

The Last Word

The past few months have seen some interesting developments for us all here at The Ray White Port Douglas. We have been approached on several occasions by the Ray White Group to represent them in Tropical Far North Queensland and it is only now that we feel it is the right time to become a member of the ever growing group of offices. We believe that there is room for a second national agency in Port Douglas. You will see the Ray White logo on stationary and in the shop, but the Ray White Port Douglas brand will remain as our predominant name.

Ray White has well over 600 offices in Australia, New Zealand and in South East Asia and we will be taking advantage of their training procedures and network to grow our business. You will be able to see our Ray White website at www.raywhiteportdouglas.com.

With Best Regards,
Margaret Charnley