The Northern Territory’s Development Consent Authority has rejected a plan for a 300-bed floating hotel proposed for Frances Bay in Darwin intended to cater for construction boom workers over the next three years.
Owner Rick Newland from Bibby Maritime says his group will appeal and is looking at its legal and political options. Mr Newland says he will seek a meeting with chief minister Adam Giles.
Gas giant ConocoPhillips has booked 500 hotel rooms in Darwin during its planned Wickham Point LNG plant maintenance shutdown in August next year.
Tourism Top End general manager Trevor Cox says resource companies that book out hotels for hundreds of workers are driving up prices for tourists visiting Darwin and such big demands are affecting accommodation prices.