Clive Palmer's neglected Coolum Resort in for a $100m revamp
Billionaire former politician Clive Palmer is back in the tourism game after announcing the $100 million redevelopment of his eponymous resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Work has already begun and up to 200 workers are expected on site by June at the Palmer Coolum Resort, which is scheduled to reopen in phases in the second half of 2022.
“The resort will be returned to beyond its former glory, stimulating jobs and economic growth for the region,” said Mr Palmer, who is eighth on the Australian Financial Review’s 2020 Rich List with a net worth of $9.18 billion.
Once the most prestigious place to stay on the Sunshine Coast, the former five-star resort was bought by Mr Palmer in 2011 from Lendlease for an undisclosed amount.
The resort was dogged by sustained controversy over his operating style before Mr Palmer shut it – apart from the championship golf course – in 2015, leading to damaging images of neglect circulating on the internet.
The redevelopment announcement comes after he settled a long-running dispute with time-share owners by buying them out for almost $21 million, gaining full control of the resort.
In keeping with past predilections – Mr Palmer installed dozens of model dinosaurs on site in 2013, some of which remain – the latest iteration will include replicas of the Wonders of the World and a full-size Trevi Fountain.
In more practical terms, the major focus of the redevelopment is the gutting and refurbishment of the more than 300 studio, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
All seven restaurants and the Village Square will also be renovated.
The Robert Trent Jones jnr-designed golf course, which has hosted 11 Australian PGA Championships, has been in continous operation apart from temporarily closing last year because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Palmer, who represented the region in Federal Parliament as leader of the Palmer United Party from 2013 to 2016, said he had a duty of care to the Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast has suffered due to the massive turndown in tourism over the past 12 months and will face further economic hardships once the JobKeeper program finishes,” he said.
“This project will provide much-needed economic stimulus during construction and into the future as a major visitor drawcard for the region.
“I would like to see the Queensland Premier to follow suit and step up her investment in the Queensland tourism sector.
“I am also calling on others who have been fortunate in business to do what they can to get Queensland moving again.”
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