FIRST LOOK: Plan For A Maritime Academy In The Whitsundays

A club best known for hosting Airlie Beach Race Week is applying to build a Maritime Academy in the heart of Airlie Beach.

Whitsunday Sailing Club lodged plans with Whitsunday Regional Council for a new two-storey facility at 11 Ocean Road to “significantly expand” the club’s existing educational component.

Details include lecture theatres, classrooms, engineering workshops, two board rooms, three meeting rooms and an administration office.

Documents stated the academy would be built next to the existing Whitsunday Sailing Club clubhouse and provide sporting, recreation, leisure, cultural and educational activities for the Whitsunday community.

“The use may include student accommodation, before or after school care or vacation care,” documents stated.

The application was placed on public notification with Whitsunday Sailing Club asked to satisfy by June 25 how it would ensure the development included 16 extra car parks.

The club must also explain how it would prevent parking demand overflowing into the street.

“Council is of the view the 38 parking spaces for Whitsunday Sailing Club in council’s public parking area are not for the exclusive use of the club,” WRC stated.

Source: Daily Mercury – Heidi Petith