Is this luxury development about to change the face of this peaceful Aussie holiday town?
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Noosa, once a tranquil haven for holidaymakers and nature lovers, is now at the centre of a heated debate that’s dividing locals and long-time visitors alike.
The catalyst? A new luxury resort development that’s set to transform the landscape—and possibly the very character—of this beloved destination.
For decades, Noosa has been a magnet for those seeking sun, surf, and serenity.
But as the town’s popularity has soared, so too has its population, which is projected to swell by 19,000 residents over the next twenty years.
With this growth comes a host of challenges: how to balance the need for more accommodation and economic opportunity with the desire to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife that make Noosa so special.
The latest flashpoint is the construction of the 186-room Calile Hotel, a five-star resort that’s the first of its kind in the area since the Hyatt Coolum opened in 1988.
For some, it’s a much-needed boost to the local economy and a way to address the chronic shortage of high-quality accommodation. For others, it’s a symbol of the rapid, and perhaps reckless, pace of change.
Long-time resident Fay Knight remembers a different Noosa—one where the calls of koalas echoed through the eucalyptus trees.
When she recently snapped photos of bulldozers clearing land for the new hotel, her feelings were mixed. 'I’m not saying I’m thrilled by it,' she admits, 'but more hotel accommodation is needed.' She’s quick to point out the irony: her own home was once bushland, too.
Noosa’s dilemma is one faced by many growing communities: how to provide enough housing and jobs without sacrificing the very qualities that make the place unique.
Locals are torn between the desire for spacious backyards and the need for higher-density living.
'It’s hard to pick a side on this one,' Fay says. 'People say, ‘we don’t want towers like the Gold Coast. We all want our bit of space and like to spread out.’ You can’t have your cake and eat it.'
The Calile Hotel is part of a broader redevelopment plan for Settlers Cove, first endorsed by Noosa Council in 2003.
The original vision included high-density residential accommodation, a public jetty, and conservation areas.
According to Noosa Council’s Director of Development and Regulation, Richard MacGillivray, the ecological impacts were considered at the time, and the current hotel plans are actually smaller than what was initially proposed.
Supporters of the development point to the economic benefits. The hotel is expected to create around 200 direct jobs, with another 150 positions in restaurants, a day spa, and retail outlets.
That’s a significant boost for a town where many young people feel compelled to move to larger cities for work. The hope is that these new opportunities will help keep local talent in Noosa.
But at what cost?
Perhaps the most emotional aspect of the debate centres on Noosa’s wildlife—especially its koalas. Queensland’s koala populations were listed as endangered in 2022, following years of habitat loss from bushfires and development.
While a 'koala crossing' sign now adorns the construction fence, the true impact on local wildlife is hotly contested.
Koalas are notoriously difficult to track, especially outside their breeding season. From July onwards, young koalas are forced to find new territory, and males roam widely in search of mates from September to February.
The loss of even small patches of habitat can have outsized effects on their survival.
As construction continues, the debate is unlikely to die down anytime soon. The Calile Hotel may bring jobs and visitors, but it also raises important questions about what kind of future Noosa wants—and who gets to decide.
Is it possible to have both progress and preservation? Can Noosa remain a haven for both people and wildlife? Or is some change inevitable as the town grows?
Read more: Queensland’s next big mine fight is about more than coal
We’d love to hear your thoughts, memories, and hopes for Noosa and other Aussie holiday towns facing similar crossroads. Have you seen your favourite getaway spot change over the years? Do you think luxury developments are a necessary part of progress? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
The catalyst? A new luxury resort development that’s set to transform the landscape—and possibly the very character—of this beloved destination.
For decades, Noosa has been a magnet for those seeking sun, surf, and serenity.
But as the town’s popularity has soared, so too has its population, which is projected to swell by 19,000 residents over the next twenty years.
With this growth comes a host of challenges: how to balance the need for more accommodation and economic opportunity with the desire to preserve the natural beauty and wildlife that make Noosa so special.
The latest flashpoint is the construction of the 186-room Calile Hotel, a five-star resort that’s the first of its kind in the area since the Hyatt Coolum opened in 1988.
Noosa locals are divided over the new 186-room Calile Hotel development, which is clearing native bushland but promises much-needed accommodation and jobs in the growing holiday town. Image source: @thecalilehotel / Instagram.
For some, it’s a much-needed boost to the local economy and a way to address the chronic shortage of high-quality accommodation. For others, it’s a symbol of the rapid, and perhaps reckless, pace of change.
Long-time resident Fay Knight remembers a different Noosa—one where the calls of koalas echoed through the eucalyptus trees.
When she recently snapped photos of bulldozers clearing land for the new hotel, her feelings were mixed. 'I’m not saying I’m thrilled by it,' she admits, 'but more hotel accommodation is needed.' She’s quick to point out the irony: her own home was once bushland, too.
Noosa’s dilemma is one faced by many growing communities: how to provide enough housing and jobs without sacrificing the very qualities that make the place unique.
Locals are torn between the desire for spacious backyards and the need for higher-density living.
'It’s hard to pick a side on this one,' Fay says. 'People say, ‘we don’t want towers like the Gold Coast. We all want our bit of space and like to spread out.’ You can’t have your cake and eat it.'
The Calile Hotel is part of a broader redevelopment plan for Settlers Cove, first endorsed by Noosa Council in 2003.
The original vision included high-density residential accommodation, a public jetty, and conservation areas.
Residents are concerned about the loss of koala habitat, especially with koala populations in Queensland now federally listed as endangered due to ongoing development and bushfires. Image source: Ellicia / Unsplash.
According to Noosa Council’s Director of Development and Regulation, Richard MacGillivray, the ecological impacts were considered at the time, and the current hotel plans are actually smaller than what was initially proposed.
Supporters of the development point to the economic benefits. The hotel is expected to create around 200 direct jobs, with another 150 positions in restaurants, a day spa, and retail outlets.
That’s a significant boost for a town where many young people feel compelled to move to larger cities for work. The hope is that these new opportunities will help keep local talent in Noosa.
But at what cost?
Perhaps the most emotional aspect of the debate centres on Noosa’s wildlife—especially its koalas. Queensland’s koala populations were listed as endangered in 2022, following years of habitat loss from bushfires and development.
While a 'koala crossing' sign now adorns the construction fence, the true impact on local wildlife is hotly contested.
The project highlights the broader debate in Noosa between conserving natural spaces and wildlife. Image source: @thecalilehotel / Instagram.
Koalas are notoriously difficult to track, especially outside their breeding season. From July onwards, young koalas are forced to find new territory, and males roam widely in search of mates from September to February.
The loss of even small patches of habitat can have outsized effects on their survival.
As construction continues, the debate is unlikely to die down anytime soon. The Calile Hotel may bring jobs and visitors, but it also raises important questions about what kind of future Noosa wants—and who gets to decide.
Is it possible to have both progress and preservation? Can Noosa remain a haven for both people and wildlife? Or is some change inevitable as the town grows?
Read more: Queensland’s next big mine fight is about more than coal
We’d love to hear your thoughts, memories, and hopes for Noosa and other Aussie holiday towns facing similar crossroads. Have you seen your favourite getaway spot change over the years? Do you think luxury developments are a necessary part of progress? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
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