A $180 million hotel precinct is coming to North Lakes as Moreton Bay City Council chases more room capacity before the 2032 Olympic Games.
Local developer Comiskey Group is to build and operate the 130-room hotel on a 1.7-hectare site located across the road from a mall and school with the Bruce Highway close by.
Comiskey Group director Rob Comiskey says the choice of site location is very deliberate and appealing.
“It’s located right within the heart of North Lakes right up to Westfield,” he says.
“It’s got the highway just off the road here. People are travelling all the way up the coast; this could be one of those places for them to stop and have a nap,” he says.
WATCH OUR VIDEO: Rob Comiskey explains why they chose the site.
The five‑star resort precinct is expected to feature a lagoon pool, fine dining, boutique retail shopping and event spaces that can hold up to 800 people.
“We’ll have everything here,” Comiskey says.
He believes that their willingness to build and operate the hotel gave council the confidence to choose them.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says “Comiskey Group’s vision ticks every box … over its first five years, this proposed resort will inject an estimated $538 million into the local economy and support 883 jobs”.
Comiskey said the resort would be “a mini-James Street” in the heart of North Lakes.
The precinct has been designed by Bureau Proberts, the architects of West Village at West End.
“We’re excited about this project, and it’s been a genuine pleasure to work with a council,” Comiskey says.
“Their proactive approach gives us great confidence in the future of Moreton Bay.”
HOTEL PROJECT ‘A GAME-CHANGER’
Deputy Mayor and local MP Jodie Shipway predicts game-changing benefits for residents and businesses.
“Currently, we have 2796 North Lakes residents working in the accommodation and food services industry with almost 1500 of those having to find work outside the area,” she says.
“By creating 335 jobs on‑site and through local supply chains, this proposed precinct will let many more in our community have careers closer to home and lift local spending.”
The project is seen as a boon for council’s major events industry, valued at more than $50 million last year but limited by a lack of hotel rooms.
Council expects the hotel to help it capture new business events and conferences and serve as accommodation for team training camps and major sporting events like the Olympics.
“Moreton Bay is no longer Queensland’s best kept tourism secret, with its natural assets, booming population and surging overnight visitor market attracting significant investment from businesses and growing interest from hotel operators,” Flannery says.
The development application is expected to be approved this year with construction due to start next year.
MORE TO COME: Moreton Bay council chasing more hotel rooms
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