Huge renovation for Port Douglas hotel
The historic Port Douglas pub, the Central Hotel, is about to go through a massive renovation and refurbishment.
Douglas Shire Council has given the redevelopment plans the green light at its meeting in Mossman.
That will see the pub getting an upgraded veranda and new beer garden which will include terraced areas.
The aim behind the redesigned beer garden is to provide better access to the hotel building and “back of house facilities”.
As part of the facelift, the existing shade sails will be replaced with a roof structure and the northern end of the existing verandah will be extended.
The verandah extension will preserve and complement the front façade, thus ensuring there is no loss of character in the area.
The development application was lodged by the NSW-based owners, Hilrok Hotel Group Pty Ltd.
The redevelopment is significant for the Central Hotel, the oldest pub in Port Douglas originally built in 1878 as the North Australian Hotel. It was rebuilt as the Central Hotel after it was damaged by a cyclone in 1911.
According to the council report, the extensive reconstruction was sparked by concern about the hotel’s “structural integrity”
“The beer garden is to be redesigned to significantly improve the ‘look and feel’ of the premises,” the council report said.
Mayor Julia Leu said the hotel was a key part of the town and the development would preserve the area’s distinctive character.
“The Central is a very well loved hotel in Port Douglas by tourists and locals,” Cr Leu told the Cairns Post.
“It has a very fabulous facade and old style Queenslander.
“It is very much keeping the character of Macrossan St and the shire overall.”
“I know people really love coming to Port Douglas and strolling around, enjoying pub style meals, music and entertainment.”
The Central Hotel has another reason for being well-known: it has the largest outdoor screen in Far North Queensland.
by Leon Gettler, August 23rd 2017
