Fairmont Port Douglas fuels jobs for First Nations people
Resort first to be built in Port Douglas for 20 years
Port Douglas’ First Nations people are set to receive unprecedented economic support with hundreds of jobs coming on line over the next two years as construction of the region’s newest luxury resort gets set to start.
Led by developer Chiodo Corporation, the$300 million Accor Fairmont Port Douglas will see close on 700 local workers employed each year over the two-year construction and a further 196 ongoing jobs supported on site once the property opens.
Of these jobs, Chiodo estimates 10 percent will go towards the region’s First Nations people as part of a partnership agreement with local Indigenous communities.
The partnership follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Kubirriwarra Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to ensure the land and its people are treated with care and the site maintains its cultural reverence and acknowledgement, in accordance with local legislation.
Chiodo Principal, Paul Chiodo, said ongoing consultation with local Indigenous groups has meant the hotel is well placed to authentically and appropriately celebrate the region’s heritage, with all features from landscaping to artwork being decided in accordance with local culture and people.
The newest hotel in the region in 20 years, when complete the resort will offer a room mix across five floors, consisting of 150 standard rooms, 76 gold rooms, 11 one-bed, 11 two-bed, five presidential and one royal room.
Several restaurants, bars, a day spa, a treetop walk as well as conference and wedding facilities designed around large pools form part of the overall blueprint with Chiodo exploring plans for an art gallery to exhibit Indigenous artwork.
Terry O’Shane of Kubirriwarra Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation has said he is thrilled with the partnership agreement which will see the creation and provision of jobs for the region’s First Nations people across construction and within the hotel, as a key part of Chiodo’s reconciliation plan with First Nations people.
Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.
Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.
