In a major coup, WORLD surfing legend Mark “Occy” Occhilupo will partner growing Queensland property firm Resort Corp to help promote its new range of beach homes, known as The Beach Shacks.
Occhilupo will be the face and name promoting and marketing The Beach Shacks, Resort Corp’s $17 million project on New Tweed Coast.
Occy, without a doubt, has been one of the best known professional surfers for more than 20 years and was recently rated by surfing “bible” Tracks magazine, as the world’s favourite surfer.
Resort Corp has already started construction of the first of The Beach Shacks - a 37-home project at Casuarina Beach on the Tweed Coast - and is laying plans for more along Australia’s east coast.
Occy, who has no intentions of ending his professional surfing career just yet, says he joined the Resort Corp team because he liked the developer’s vision of absolute excellence in architecture and urban design, but delivered as affordable beachside homes.
“The Beach Shacks are a bit of a blast from the past. The homes are similar to the beach holiday houses of the 1950’s and 1960’s, but obviously also have all the mod cons that are available today,” said Occhilupo.
“I think they are a terrific idea and I am very happy to be involved with the rolling out of the concept along the east Coast.
“I think people, particularly surfers will love them. They are designed for the relaxed beach lifestyle and there are little extra touches that set the homes apart from others,” he said.
Occy, who claimed the world professional surfing title in 1999 after returning to the sport in 1996 following a break, said he had a strong interest in protecting the environment and when his surfing career was over he intended to look for projects that drew on his experiences and his beliefs.
“The Beach Houses are very eco-friendly and I think they are the ideal sort of project we should be promoting along the Coast,” he said.
Occy has strong ties to the Casuarina region, having been a regular surfer on the area’s beach breaks such as Cabarita.
Resort Corp joint managing director Paul Brinsmead said it was an honour having Occhilupo join the developer’s team.
“Occy is a living legend in the sport and a great ambassador for Australia throughout the world,” said Mr Brinsmead.
“He is one of those rare individuals whose influence extends far beyond the fans of the sport in which he is involved.
“Most Australians between the ages of 15 and 70 will have heard of Occy,” said Mr Brinsmead.
The Beach Shacks concept is designed to appeal to buyers seeking a seachange lifestyle with all the groovy modern and finishes but at an affordable price tag.
At Casuarina, the Beach Shacks will comprise 37 trendy free-standing homes in a mixture of two bedroom, and two bedroom plus bunkroom designs. They are to be set in densely landscaped site with fabulous pool and barbecue facilities.
Just 20 of the 37 shacks remain for sale from $422,000. The initial display home will open this weekend. Stage One of The Beach Shacks will be completed in January.
Mr Brinsmead said the location of The Beach Shacks at Casuarina was superb.
“It’s sensational, you are only footsteps away from the beach,’’ he said. ``It truly is a magnificent part of the world.
“I have always believed in this type of product … ever since I got involved in development,” he said.
Resort Corp Life bought the 8333sqm site in February 2005 for $4 million from Multiplex Limited and the original developer of the $1 billion plus Casuarina beach township, Consolidated Properties.
Resort Corp is currently completing or undertaking a $1.35 billion development portfolio on the northern NSW and Queensland coasts.
Its New Tweed Coast stable includes The Beach resort at Cabarita Beach; Santai and The Beach Shacks at Casuarina Beach; Nor Nor East and Sea on Marine Parade, Kingscliff; and Soraya Dreamtime Beach and Zen apartments on the exclusive Murphy’s Road at Kingscliff.
Resort Corp’s Queensland program also includes a $500 million resort, residential and retail project on the Townsville waterfront; a $500 million master-planned community at Funnel Bay and a $125 million resort hotel at Airlie Beach, both on the Whitsunday Coast.