A PROPOSAL for a dinosaur themed mini golf facility in the Airlie Beach main street is causing an up-‘roar’ amongst residents!
A sign posted at the proposed location – at 281 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach – states that approval is being sought for a Development Application for Material Change of Use – Outdoor Sport and Recreation (Mini Golf).
The proposed location of the development is in the centre of the Airlie Main Street – just down from the Heart Hotel and opposite Magnums and McDonalds.
The development – dubbed ‘Jurassic Falls’ in the artists’ impression – will have a dinosaur theme.
It will include an arcade area, a viewing deck above the activity centre, a food and drink outlet, including takeaways, and mini golf.
The site adjoins the Airlie foreshore at the rear.
Many residents feel it is not the right location for such a facility and, also, that the theme should be more in keeping with the Whitsundays, focusing on marine life and the reef.
Longtime local resident Linda Mahood said the main street of Airlie Beach was ‘not the ideal place for such a disconnected commercial attraction’.
“An outdoor mini golf is better positioned to support our current golfing precinct, in Cannonvale, or be a true regional attraction for Proserpine with a community connected theme, not something that appears a cookie cutter from elsewhere,” she said.
“Preserving the surrounding trees that the sacred Black Cockatoos feed off would be my highest priority for our community.
“Tourists and people come here for the ocean, the islands, heart reef and Whitehaven Beach, and to enjoy the wondrous unspoilt nature and walk safely through the tree passage, by Airlie Creek.
“I don’t believe this company has the integrity or interest in being a part of our community, as they would already come with a heart reef, turtle and ocean theme.”
Cannonvale resident Faye Chapman also believes that the suggested dinosaur theme is not appropriate for a site in the middle of the Airlie Beach Main Street.
“Like many other residents of Whitsunday, the prospect of a land-based activity for visitors and residents is very welcome,” she said.
“But I’m also sure that many of us find the proposed dinosaur theme totally at odds with the character we’d like to promote for the main street of Airlie Beach.
“The centrally located site, adjacent to the taxi rank, is highly visible. The suggested dinosaur façade will inevitably become an almost irresistible attraction for graffiti and vandalism.
“This dinosaur theme is totally at odds with Airlie Beach main street, but then even a whale, reef, coral or fish theme would probably attract the same vandalism.
“How are they going to stop vandalism without putting up big fences?
“Such security measures certainly aren’t a good image for a family friendly activity venue and certainly not something to enhance Airlie Beach main street as a desirable tourist destination.
“I’m conscious that the owners wish to develop this site, but surely with some lateral and inspired planning a similar venue could be developed, making the most of this location with its wonderful views and incorporating and utilising the magnificent trees already on this site.”
The development application for the site was made to Whitsunday Regional Council on February 26, 2025.
Council then wrote to the applicant, on March 18, requesting additional information, which was provided on April 7.
A council spokesperson said the application would be presented at a Council Ordinary Meeting for determination, once the public notification period and assessment is completed.
The closing date for public submissions is May 14, 2025.
Just some of the online comments reacting to a post by Island FM Whitsundays are below.
I’m not sure why dinosaurs??? Seems like it’ll stick out like a sore thumb in the location of the Main Street.
It wouldn’t be a bad activity considering the few options we have but put it out of plain sight please.
Put it near the marina near the playground, at least you might get a park there unless Saturday markets are on.
Put this in Cannonvale somewhere, not an already congested AF Airlie main St. Where is everyone meant to park. So dumb.
Awesome!!! 100% behind something like this in town. Unsure if that’s the best location for the Main Street, maybe the land behind magnums where there’s parking as well.
How dreadful – in Airlie Beach – how totally tacky! We have enough tacky outlets in central Airlie beach – bottle shops – tattoo places. Certainly not things that may actually attract visitors with some taste!
This seems incredibly tacky. Many towns have built something like this most are just closed relics.
It’s bad enough having McDonalds here, this is Airlie not America?
No to dinosaurs. Great Barrier Reef/Whitsundays theme.
Indoor activities for locals and visitors absolutely lacking here. Probably not the Dinosaur theme but could imagine a reef/island theme would be awesome.
Agree be much better being ocean themed instead of dinosaurs. Great idea though.
I think it’s a great idea but maybe in Cannonvale and perhaps a reef theme being that it’s Airlie beach.
Great idea but an underwater theme would be better.
Is this for real? Why dinosaurs? I don’t get the correlation between the Whitsundays and dinosaurs, wouldn’t you do a reef theme?
I like the idea. Maybe a more ocean themed front instead of the dinosaurs.
Love it! But maybe reef/Whitsunday related would be better.
What do you think? Email news@whitsundaynews.net.au.
