The very-large-format Comiskey Group is getting considerably bigger, kick-starting plans for multiple developments, beginning with a new hotel and complex at Dakabin, north of the Brisbane CBD.
The proposed development centres around a brand new 2,000sqm hotel, shopping centre with retail and commercial tenancies, service station and bottleshop.
Comiskey Group is acclaimed for its hospitality developments, famously including the highly-awarded Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point Hotels.
For the past decade it has been battling to build a new venue on a two-hectare site at Doonan, slated to have a massive kids’ play area, similar to Sandstone Point but with more of a garden theme. A recent court ruling has finally brought approval to proceed.
Two more greenfield sites are at the stage of drawing up plans, toward DAs, but the locations have not yet been disclosed.
And the Comiskeys, who hail from a construction background, are also planning another resort, on a massive 43-ha site on the water at Coochin Creek.
These are all in addition to major works going on at the already enormous Sandstone Point, where the facilities are being further expanded, with a new skateboard and scooter ‘pump track’, arcade and even mini-putt-putt, atop another 42 villas and 87 caravan sites.
The proposed new Hotel at 289 Old Gympie Road at Dakabin will be part of a 37,490sqm site. The pub will offer a more traditional hotel, with TAB, large dining facilities, internal fire pits, gaming and function facilities, kids’ facilities and extensive outdoor spaces.
The restaurant will sport a “very unique and upmarket” look, more like that of a fine-dining restaurant than a hotel, while priced more like a hotel and still decidedly family-orientated.
Beyond the Hotel, the complex will provide a service station, shopping centre, 220sqm bottleshop, two drive-through food outlets and 327 carparking spaces.
A house and some sheds will be demolished to make way for the $20 million development, which will eventually employ around 100 people at the hotel alone.
Plans were lodged with Moreton Bay Regional Council mid-August. The applicants are required to advertise the plans, and are hopeful of a decision out of council early 2022. Barring hurdles construction will begin in 2023.
Dakabin has seen significant growth and infrastructure, and after eyeing the property for a decade it recently joined the Comiskey juggernaut and mission to create pioneering locals for locals.
“There’s nothing at Dakabin apart from the sports club over at North Lakes,” explained CEO Rob Comiskey, who maintains the pace of growth is more circumstance than design.
“We weren’t supposed to be in expansion mode, but when things come up we’ve been looking at for years we just keep buying them.”
