Prestige Developments still happening in Airlie Beach

With the passage of time post cyclone Debbie the after effects are becoming more apparent.  On one hand, some businesses are struggling to keep up with demand.  Some in the building industry, in particular, have indicated to me that they will have a significantly increased workload for one to two years.  On the other hand, some establishments, particularly in the main streets of Proserpine and Airlie Beach, will not re-open for some time due to the bottleneck of inevitable delay with insurance assessors, building and engineering reports and the lack of trades people and building supplies.

So where does that leave real estate in Airlie Beach?  Whilst I’m not qualified to comment too much about that it is pleasing to see two major land developments well underway.  Both the One Airlie and Funnel Bay developments have continued with construction and development since cyclone Debbie.  These are the major residential projects currently happening in the Whitsunday region.One Airlie comprises 12 allotments 10 of which have the high tide water mark as a boundary.  This development is adjacent to the Whitsunday Sailing Club and offers both privacy and ready access to central Airlie Beach and is being undertaken, in part, by Kevin Seymour, one of Queensland’s largest private developers.  Together with a number of local partners including Rick Shelley who is also undertaking the civil works.The Funnel Bay development has been under construction since late 2016.  The first stage of 14 allotments will be complete within the next month.  This development is being undertaken by a consortium consisting mostly of local business people.   The first stage includes 10 beach front allotments and 4 garden view allotments.   The lots face north and have direct access to the nearby beach which has been highly regarded by locals for as long as I can remember.  The developer has lodged an application with Council for Stage Two which will include nine house and land packages as well as lots comprising up to 189 apartments and 34 residential lots.  These lots are situated on the hill side adjoining the national park.  The density of the whole development is in the order of 250 which is significantly less than the already approved 574.  It is also interesting to note that services such as water, power, sewerage and fibre optic NBN are all connected to the development.It is encouraging to see these two prestige developments proceeding.  Both having water frontage and may together comprise the last significant development of waterfront land in the Whitsunday region.  The first home is currently under construction at Funnel Bay.  This home has been designed by Chris Beckingham and is being built by Airlie Beach Constructions and is expected to be completed and occupied by Christmas of this year.

I think the message is clear.  That is many businesses have suffered and continue to suffer in the aftermath of cyclone Debbie.  But people of the Whitsunday area are resilient and over the next 12 months the Whitsunday region will continue to progress and develop.