The 164-room resort was expected to also have 90 self-contained cabins and a swimming lagoon. The wave pool was expected to have waves up to 7 foot and offer rides of 26 seconds.

The development, spear-headed by local businesses NorthBreak Developments and Hunt Design, was expected to inject more than $117.5 million worth of wages into the local economy over the construction period.

Once operational, Northbreak expected the resort would create 740 full-time jobs, attract 128,680 visitor nights and generate $79.2m in direct expenditure each year.

NorthBreak would also have to offset their demands on the council’s water supply and sewer network, as well as contribute towards planned trunk infrastructure to service the Shire.

The development site is located on the Captain Cook Highway.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the wave park would be a catalyst for a new era of tourism in Port Douglas and Daintree.

“This transformative project will significantly lift summer tourism by creating a world-class surfing experience and year-round swimming option down the road from Port Douglas,” he said.

“With no recognised surf breaks in the tropics, the council believes this once-in-a-generation development will attract a wave of new visitors and keep our beautiful pocket of the world at the forefront of travellers’ minds.”

“The wave park fits in nicely with our sports tourism focus and is perfectly positioned in the Mowbray Valley to complement the Wangetti Trail development.”

Council’s planning team has worked closely with NorthBreak and Hunt Design on the development application since late-2020.

Kerr said the wave park development would play a vital role in helping the region recover from the economic shocks felt during the Covid-19 pandemic.