THE APPROVAL of the Shute Harbour Marina Resort development came up at the latest community catch-up, held at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
The precinct will incorporate 395 marina berths, a resort, retail outlets, waterfront living and commercial premises.
There was some lively discussion, with Shute Harbour residents worried about the traffic congestion during the construction phase.
When asked about the plans for traffic management when construction starts, council’s director of planning and development Neil McGaffin said: “We will certainly suffer some delays.”
“Our relationship with Transport and Main Roads is significant, so we are continually talking with them about upgrades,” he said.
“It’s difficult to start discussions (with them) when construction has not started yet.”
Another member of the audience, Jacinta Lipson, who lives in Shute Haven, took the opportunity to point out that the area where the project is to be built was World Heritage and State Marine Park.
“The general feeling (amongst residents) was that the project wouldn’t get up,” she said, following the community catch-up.
The question of insurance for the marina was also raised.
However, Mr McGaffin said insurance was ‘not a matter council gets involved in’.
The timeline of the project (provided by Whitsunday Regional council):
- July 28, 2006 Gazettal of ‘coordinated project’ declaration by the Coordinator General (State govt.)
- November 1, 2008 – 15 December 2008 – Environment Impact Assessment public consultation
- December 9, 2013, Coordinator General (State govt.) approval subject to conditions
- January 9, 2014, Commonwealth Minister for the Environment approval subject to conditions
- March 28, 2019, Council issued the Preliminary Approval required by the Coordinator Generals conditions.
- September 2, 2019, Operational Works approval issued for marina construction works.
The State Government, Federal Government and Whitsunday Regional Council have all imposed conditions required under each jurisdiction.
The next step is to start construction but a date has not been put forward, as yet.
