2024 - the year of Fairmont?

LOS ANGELES MEETS DOUGLAS

Paul Makin

Journalist

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The $300-million luxury resort that Paul Chiodo is confident will commence construction early next year Picture: Supplied

The developer behind the denied development application to construct the five-star Fairmont resort in Port Douglas has indicated when the first sod will be turned.

Chiodo Corporation’s Paul Chiodo told Newsport that construction will start early next year, and now it’s full steam ahead to achieve that goal. Douglas Shire Council rejected the $300-million luxury resort proposal at a meeting in September 2021, on the grounds that it did not comply with the Shire’s planning scheme.

Chiodo Corporation’s Paul Chiodo says he’s flying an interior design team out from Los Angeles to meet with Kuku Yalanji elders to make the interior design and colour schemes authentic. Picture: Supplied

Planned on the old ‘Havana’ site – at 71-85 Port Douglas Road between Oaks Hotels and Resorts and the Mirage Country Club, the resort proposal includes several restaurants and bars, a modern-day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities and all designed around resort-style pools.

Douglas Shire Council is insisting on a European colonialism type element to the build and while Mr Chiodo sees it differently, he’s still confident the resort will be built in a tasteful and proper manner.

He’s also flying an interior design team out from Los Angeles to meet with Kuku Yalanji elders so that their culture can be on full display throughout the resort “They’ll meet with the elders to get a better understanding to help our interior design, colour schemes and the like” he said.

Speaking at an indigenous ceremony in Port Douglas recently Mr Chiodo explained, “We think that it’s important for all our guests to have the opportunity to see paintings and crafts through a dedicated art gallery in the resort, with all the sales revenue generated going directly to the artists” he said.

The new property also plans to work with the local Kuku Yalanji community to provide Smoking Ceremonies for special events. Although the resort hasn’t even been built yet, it’s already won major gongs. Fairmont Port Douglas has achieved Ecotourism Australia’s Eco Destination Certificate, and it’s been recognised for its strong environmental credentials, winning the Communities & Culture Award at the Sustainable Destinations Awards in March 2020.

Back to court

Two failed court directed mediation sessions has left Mr Chiodo with no option but to lodge a submission for a future trial date, possibly in September, in the Planning and Environment Court in Brisbane to finally get the resort underway next year. The Construction is expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars to the local economy.

The local Kuku Yalanji art on the fence erected out front of the proposed resort on the main road into Port Douglas Picture: Paul Makin
The empty land that is currently a waste of space Picture: Paul Makin

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