Council Approves $130 million Resort Development

DEVELOPER Ghassan Aboud’s towering $130 million contribution to the city’s skyline has received final approval from the Cairns Regional Council.

The council contracted an independent company to model the overall economic impact of Mr Ghassan’s three hotel developments – Tradewinds, the “twin towers” project on Lake St and the Bellview Hotel’s replacement.

Design plans for the GA Group's proposed hotel at 163 Abbott St, Cairns

It found there would be about a $900 million economic impact overall.

“The $900 million figure is based on the direct investment of $370 million resulting in additional output of $219.14 million,” a council spokeswoman said. “This … represents the cost of restocking materials supplies that have been purchased for the development.” Source: The Cairns Post.