Advancing Shute Harbour

We welcome Council’s recent decision to approve a 12-month extension of the Development Permit for the Shute Harbour Marina project. This recognises the significant progress made in advancing this complex development through Commonwealth, State and local government approvals, environmental assessments, cultural heritage agreements and State lease negotiations. The approval provides certainty while critical project investigations and approvals continue to be progressed.

We appreciate that the project has taken longer than originally envisaged and are confident the foundations for its successful delivery are now significantly more advanced.

Over the past several years, the project has achieved a number of important milestones, including the variation of the Commonwealth environmental approval and offsets program, agreement of a voluntary Cultural Heritage Management Plan with the Gia and Ngaro Peoples, advancement of State lease extension negotiations, and detailed engineering, feasibility and constructability investigations. These activities are informing a revised master plan that will enhance environmental outcomes, improve construction efficiency and respond to contemporary market conditions while retaining the vision for a world-class waterfront precinct.

The extension enables the project team to finalise outstanding lease arrangements, technical studies and design refinements before lodging a development application for the revised master plan. We appreciate Council’s recognition of the project’s ongoing progression and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to deliver a transformative development for Shute Harbour and the wider Whitsunday region.

Shute Harbour Marina Development’s Managing Director, Sam Wade, said

“The Shute Harbour Marina project continues to advance through a comprehensive program of engineering, environmental, cultural heritage and planning investigations. While the project’s scale and complexity have required considerable time and coordination, these processes are helping to shape a stronger, more sustainable deliverable outcome for Shute Harbour and the Whitsunday region.”

“The revised master plan is being informed by extensive engineering, feasibility and Early Contractor Involvement investigations and is focused on responding to current market conditions while delivering improved environmental outcomes and greater constructability. The design retains the vision of a world-class waterfront precinct while creating opportunities to incorporate Council’s objectives for the area and better integrate with the proposed Shute Harbour Recreational Boating Facility, a priority Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure project. Our goal is to deliver an environmentally responsible and financially viable development, that creates a vibrant, accessible foreshore destination for the community and visitors.”

“The next phase of the project will focus on finalising the revised master plan, completing supporting environmental and technical investigations, and undertaking further engagement with government, Traditional Owners and the broader community. We remain committed to delivering a transformational tourism and economic development opportunity for the Whitsundays, underpinned by one of the most significant private investments in environmental stewardship undertaken in the region, creating lasting benefits for the community, the environment and future generations.”