Noosa’s first 5-star hotel to be built in 30 years was welcomed last week by both Noosa Council and Tourism Noosa after it was unanimously approved by councillors who described the high-end resort as quality over quantity.
Councillors unanimously ratified changes to a 2008 approval for a resort on a 2.4-hectare site at 3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads, commending the applicants for working with council to deliver the project.
“The willingness of Calile Malouf Investments to work with our town planning staff to achieve a quality development outcome is testament to their professionalism and commitment to quality,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
“These amended plans are one of the best examples we’ve seen of quality-over-quantity development.
“The changes have removed development from the environmental management and conservation zone, increased landscaping setbacks to Serenity Close to reduce the impact on surrounding residents, a reduced number of units, more onsite carparking, more landscaping and retention of more natural vegetation,” Cr Wilkie said.
“This is a massive improvement on the existing approval and the development is now fully sited in the tourist accommodation zone.
“The way they have worked with council’s professional planning staff to achieve the best possible outcome for this site sets a benchmark.”
The Town Planning approval followed a two-year process involving numerous community consultations and council recommendations, paving the way for works to commence in early 2025.
“We worked collaboratively with the Noosa Council and fine-tuned the scheme to ensure we addressed the planning scheme and community expectations,” said The Calile co-owner and CMI Director Michael Malouf.
True to their dedication to place making and local communities, the Malouf family, (The Calile founders) has again chosen a location that they feel personally connected to and love for its natural beauty and community spirit.
“Resort sites are often at risk of being ceded to multinational hotel companies who impose incongruous designs and standards upon the local community. By contrast, The Calile is a home-grown Southeast Queensland brand with an implicit understanding of the local culture, climate, community, demographic and attributes,” Mr Malouf said.
Designed by architects Richard’s & Spence, responsible for The Calile Hotel James St’s widely regarded design, the integrated new resort is informed by its location and will comprise 153 rooms, 29 suites and 4 villas, offering guests the luxury of space.
Embedded in a bushland setting, the large site allows for spacious, proportioned facilities, including a 50m main swimming pool plus a second quiet pool in a private garden setting, comprehensive wellness facilities and function spaces.
All hotel rooms will be generously sized with the standard room being a minimum of 45m2 and a range of larger suites. There will also be three-bedroom villas for family or group bookings.
The Noosa development will target carbon neutral operations as part of its broader sustainability strategy.
Working with Buildcorp The Calile Noosa project will commence work in 2025 with an anticipated three-year construction program.
“We are thrilled to see the approval of The Calile Noosa, as the importance of new and enhanced products, particularly accommodation, in our region is recognised and welcomed by us. This is especially significant as it marks the first 5-star hotel development in over three decades”.
“The demand for high-quality hotel offerings to attract high-yielding visitors is critical, and The Calile brand, already an internationally awarded boutique property in Brisbane having been recognised (in September) in the World’s 50 Best Hotels and named Best Hotel in Oceania for two consecutive years, is set to become a key driver in bringing both international and interstate visitors to Noosa. With Brisbane being a major source market for international travellers, this development will play a pivotal role in boosting Noosa’s economy,” Ms Raguse said.
In addition to attracting high-value travellers who are consciously aware of their environmental impact, The Calile Noosa is predicted to inject $338m in direct spending and over $660 in indirect expenditure into the local economy, aligning perfectly with Tourism Noosa’s strategy to drive high-yielding tourism to our region. As the region continues to rebuild its international markets, which are vital due to their longer stays and higher spend, this development couldn’t be more timely.”
The development is also expected to appeal to corporate travellers, a key mid-week market, and will further diversify Noosa’s visitor mix. The hotel’s focus on enhancing the natural environment while providing a luxury boutique experience aligns with Noosa’s values of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The design incorporates local elements such as natural light, ventilation, and materials that reflect Noosa’s unique aesthetic.
“We are especially excited that The Calile Noosa is being delivered by the Queensland-based Malouf Family, who have a strong passion for placemaking and a deep appreciation for the unique qualities of Noosa. Their understanding of what makes this region special shines through in their commitment to creating a development that not only enhances Noosa’s offering but also aligns with its values of sustainability and community. We congratulate the Malouf Family on their vision and dedication in bringing this world-class project to Noosa, one that will undoubtedly elevate the region’s profile on both a national and international scale,” Ms. Raguse said.
The Calile Noosa development is set to be a game-changer for Noosa’s tourism industry, reinforcing the region’s appeal to high-value visitors from across Australia and key international markets such as the UK, North America, Europe, and New Zealand.
Cr Wilkie said the development approval shows that when you have a developer that is willing to work with council, it can achieve great quality development outcomes without sacrificing our town plan.
“This development is fully aligned with the intent of the planning scheme, which has always seen this site set aside for a five-star resort,” he said.
“This outcome is a win for the community, a win for local tourism and our economy.”
“Furthermore, it is well documented that South-East Queensland requires an additional 20,000 rooms to adequately service the 2032 Olympic Games. The approval of this resort will assist to fulfil some of this demand whilst also aligning with the Noosa brand attracting high-value international and domestic visitors.
“This development will raise the standard of short-term of accommodation across the region and is anticipated to absorb demand for high-end short-term accommodation that is currently occurring in residential areas.”
