Election Puts Hervey Bay Sheraton Decision on Hold

Developer Sunny Beach Land will have to wait until after the Queensland local government elections to learn if it can move ahead on a 21-storey hotel and apartment project at Hervey Bay.

It is one of many applications paused ahead of the elections for 77 councils in the state to be held on March 16.

The 223-room Hervey Bay hotel would be operated by Sheraton, according to parent company Marriott International.

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the developer, entity Sunny Beach Land, led by Dan Cuda of DCZ Capital, this week.

The $450-million project was filed with the Fraser Coast Regional Council in August 2023 and went on exhibition in January. 

The plans show there would also be 424 residential apartments as part of the development.

The Fraser Coast has an average home price of around $400,000, according to Pricefinder.

The site has been a point of contention in the community, with a petition taken up objecting to the development.

“The council has issued a request for further particulars that they are responding to before we can finalise our report,” Fraser Coast executive manager development James Cockburn said.

“There is no set date for council’s consideration of this matter but. yes, it will be after the local government elections and the new council is in place.”

The 12,145sq m parcel of land at 408-412 Esplanade, Torquay, a Hervey Bay suburb to the east of the town centre, currently has a units blocks, a backpackers hostel and a former nightclub across the six lots.

There is a 26m height limit on the site—the twin tower development would reach 79.1 metres.

The plans by Mode Design Corp show the two tower forms over a five-storey podium. 

Television host Jamie Durie OAM would be the project ambassador and responsible for designing the podium level recreational area.

The award winner for services to the enviroment and design worked on hotels, resorts and commercial projects spanning 17 countries, including Queensland’s Hayman Island Resort and Sheraton hotels.

There would also be a 400-seat conference space, fitness centre, business lounge, rooftop bar, pool areas and residential apartments. 

More than 1,000 car parking spaces and 144 bicycle spaces for residents, hotel guests and patrons would also be located in the complex.

Sunny Beach Land director Dan Cuda said the development could set the tone for future investment in the region. 

“Our MOU with Marriott International is an exciting coup for Hervey Bay and represents another compelling reason for the Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort to go ahead,” Cuda said.

“This  announcement is fantastic news for Hervey Bay and would put the Fraser Coast region firmly on the map as a world class tourism destination.”

▲ The proposal for the site at Torquay received 1500 submissions during the first public notification period by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Marriott International vice president hotel development Australia Richard Crawford said the project was what they were waiting for to enter the market.

“For the first time a development vision exists that offers the right opportunity to introduce an international full service hotel to the city,” Crawford said. 

“Hervey Bay is a destination with excellent prospects for growth and long term success, however, its lack of high quality accommodation has diminished the city’s appeal to affluent travel ers, and it is missing out on the marketing power of international hotel companies.”