Page 88 - Port Douglas Magazine 31

NEW PORT

ESTATE

WORDS by Howard Salkow
I t’s been labelled the future growth of Port Douglas and
comes at a time of the first land release in several years.
And realtors, the developer, designer home builders, Council and
locals are viewing the ‘New Port Estate’ as a unique opportunity to
show how sustainable growth can occur while still retaining the
special character of the Port Douglas community.
Developers, Port Douglas Land Developments Ltd, plan to build the
‘New Port Estate’ on 180 acres of land south of Craiglie, bordered
by the planned Wangetti trail to the east, the Mowbray River to the
south and the Captain Cook Highway to the west.
The estate will feature expansive parks and family-friendly
recreational spaces, a complementary commercial hub, senior living
options, and affordable allotments to enable Port Douglas to grow
in a measured and sustainable way.
Leading realtor and Raine & Horne Port Douglas Director, David
Cotton, said it is an exciting time for Port Douglas.
“This is the first land release in several years, Port Pacific basically
all sold out. This is the future growth of Port Douglas,” says David.
A great opportunity, “It will eventually have its own commercial hub,
with a shopping centre, restaurant/takeaway, bottle shop, among
other essential services.”
“It is still only 10 minutes from the heart of Port Douglas, yet the With the prospect of significant jobs, and the countless spin-offs,
prices of the land are still very reasonable. There will be park land it’s no surprise Port Douglas Land Development director/project
adjacent to the Mowbray River and is where the Wangetti Trail will manager Ernest Duval, said he is proud to be part of the project
pass through on its way to Port Douglas from Palm Cove,” he said. which has been many years in the making.
For first time home buyers, this development will provide an ideal “I think it is significant for Port Douglas because it is the first OWP
opportunity to get into the property market. (operational works permit) since 2014 and meets a demand for the
There are 32 lots in the first stage and an estimated 400 lots to be measured expansion and growth of the community.
developed over the whole development with land sizes varying from “It’s significant because it will provide homes for many first-time
600m2 to over 700m2 and prices expected to start from the low buyers and individuals at an acceptable price point which doesn’t
$200,000’s, with close on 20 expressions of interest already been exist at present in Port Douglas,” he said.
taken. Duval, who said he expected to commence work this month subject
to staging by the contractor and with all the permits in place, said
“Only 10 minutes from the heart of Port Douglas, Council has been very supportive of the project “and I can only say
they have treated us with the utmost professionalism all the way
yet the prices of the land are still very reasonable. through.”
There will be park land adjacent to the Mowbray “The State and Federal Government building assistance packages
River and is where the Wangetti Trail will pass have also helped, but Port Douglas is a unique part of Australia and
through on its way to Port Douglas” I believe it’s always going to be a desirable area to buy a property
and set up a home.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he believes and hopes it will “The lifestyle opportunities are unparalleled and if anything can
be the start of more development in the town. be learned from recent world events where people want a stand-
alone home on a reasonable piece of land for their family,” he said.
“Smart appropriate housing stock is absolutely what this region “We also hope this will be a great opportunity for the Port Douglas
needs to grow its rate base so we can afford the luxury items that greater region. As we develop the allotments and the infrastructure,
others have, such as lagoons, for example. hundreds of jobs will be created over the next few years.”
He added Council is being proactive in this space as financially we Purchasers will be also able to choose from a number of designer
need it to survive the economic future that will be ahead of us. home builders. David explains, “Raine & Horne are selling the land,
Responding to whether he believes the timing is right; he said but we are also working closely with some builders offering house
creating jobs outside of hospitality is imperative at the moment. and land packages. The process will involve simply choosing a
“While a slow rebuild will occur with the tourism industry, we need builder, signing a contract with the builder for the house and the
to be kick-starting other industries as well,” he said. developer for the land. We have a great selection of professional
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