White Horse gallops into Whitsundays with $600 million Lindeman Island redevelopment

A $600 million redevelopment of the Whitsundays’ iconic Lindeman Island resort is a step closer to realisation after developer White Horse Australia Lindeman Pty Ltd was granted ‘coordinated project’ status by the Queensland Government.The project will see the creation of a new five star beach resort, six star spa resort, five star eco resort and tourist villas comprising a total of 335 suites, and a central village precinct.It will also involve an upgrade to the existing private airstrip to allow all weather access and small jet landings and construction of a safe harbour with a 50-berth marina.Environmental work will include a Great Barrier Reef educational centre, establishing nature reserves and vegetation-replanting and coral planting programs.White Horse Australia Lindeman is undertaking an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project which could take up to 18 months.The declaration of ‘coordinated project’ status means both State and Federal Government agencies will have input into the EIS process.White Horse Australia Lindeman CEO Paul Nyholt said the company was delighted to have been granted ‘coordinated project’ status for the proposed redevelopment.“We are looking forward to working closely with the Coordinator-General’s office to fulfil our obligations and deliver a world class tourism asset for Queensland,” said Mr Nyholt.“The project will commence as soon as all relevant approvals are in place.”White Horse Australia Lindeman has appointed Eastview Australia as project managers, renowned architecture firm DBI Design as architects, and Cardno as consultant for the EIS process.The company purchased the property in October 2012 after Club Med closed the existing Resort in January 2012.White Horse Australia Lindeman is headed by Chinese-born Australian citizen William Han and Jiangfeng Mao.Mr Han is associated with White Horse China while Mr Mao, of Orion Hong Kong Group, is a successful and well known developer, resort owner and operator in China.