SkyHaven Set To Transform Cairns Airport
SkyHaven Set To Transform Cairns Airport
Words by Danae Jones | Photos: Supplied
L-R: Sarah and James Mort – MiHaven Founders
A purpose-built accommodation precinct is taking shape at Cairns Airport.
“SkyHaven” – the expansive new development, positioned on a central 20,000m2 site, is aimed at addressing the region’s critical shortage of quality, short-term accommodation.
Leading Cairns-based property developer MiHaven, through its subsidiary Tropical Airport Accommodation Pty Ltd (TAA), has secured a long-term lease from Cairns Airport to develop the precinct, which will cater to a range of industry and community requirements, including much-needed accommodation for skilled workers.
The first stage will include construction of 183 self-contained units, as well as guest amenities such as meeting and conference spaces, a café and two swimming pools and outdoor entertainment areas.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the project would enable various local industries to grow their operations, and strengthen the capabilities of key community providers, such as health services.
“We have heard from various organisations and sectors that there is a desperate need for more short-term worker accommodation in our region. This precinct has been strategically planned to assist businesses across Tropical North Queensland, including those based at Cairns Airport,” he said.
“A number of airport-based organisations need to fly in workers for vital aviation maintenance works and other services, but they are constrained by a lack of accommodation options. Providing short term accommodation at Cairns Airport will enable operators to house skilled workers for several nights, up to a number of months.
“We believe this development will assist greatly in alleviating the staffing pressures affecting many local organisations. MiHaven have an extensive and proven track record in this sector and we are thrilled to have them take the initiative to create and deliver this project.”
Work is set to commence on the site by the end of this year with construction of the first tranche of accommodation due for completion within two years. It is the final piece of the Cairns Airport business park precinct, which commenced 20 years ago and provides a base for a range of commercial operators and government agencies.
MiHaven’s Co-founder James Mort said, “Sarah and I are delighted to have this opportunity to create a truly Cairns-based project with all consultants and contractors being deployed locally from Cairns. This is Cairns through and through, directly investing more than $60 million into our economy.”
Key local organisations have already expressed overwhelming interest in the development, Mr Mort said.
“This is not a ‘build it and they will come’ project. If anything, we will probably say, why did we not build more at the time, given the overwhelming response we have received to date, even before we could make this project public,” he said.
Cairns Airport has been commercially operating for over 40 years including an international terminal, with annual passenger numbers of over 4.2 million and a significant General Aviation maintenance operation, but until now, there has been no short-term accommodation provided at the airport. This facility will effectively address the accommodation needs of aviation staff, airlines, travellers, and government departments with large, mobile workforces. It will provide safe, secure, and self-contained lodging in a central location.
MiHaven is a leading B Corp registered social enterprise based in Cairns, which includes MiHaven Training’s RTO operations. This project will enable MiHaven to continue to deliver training and employment outcomes, with a particular focus on opportunities for First Nations people. James Mort is committed to creating an Indigenous training and employment program including an onsite construction training program, providing 5 new Indigenous apprenticeship opportunities, including a purpose-built onsite training facility for the delivery of the theory study.
MiHaven proposes to develop the project in three stages, with Stage 1 + 2 comprising 183 self-contained studios, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments developed immediately, and Stage 3 is currently earmarked to be 200 + beds purpose-built student accommodation servicing the needs of CQU’s Airport based pilot training school and Aviation Australia’s Aviation Engineering School, also based at Cairns Airport, to later follow.
Key trends driving short term accommodation investment in Cairns include:
• Significant upgrades to infrastructure:
$270 million upgrade to Cairns Convention Centre
• $55 million Cairns International Airport Terminal improvements
• $360 million expansion of the Marine precinct
• $250 million Cairns Hospital Precinct expansion
Supply constraints:
• A limited supply of new hotels which is driving demand for existing assets
• No new major hotel/short term accommodation developments in the pipeline
Sustainability and Refurbishments:
• Investors are focusing on sustainable practices and refurbishments to meet modern traveller expectations.
• Most hotels near the airport (aside from Crystalbrook Collection) are of an asset age of at least 25 – 35 years (requiring significant refurbishment)
Market Recovery:
• The post-COVID recovery is leading to increased occupancy rates and higher investor interest.
MiHaven has been directly engaging with all key stakeholders since the inception of this project and has received widespread industry support with expressions of interest indicating strong demand for the 183 Serviced Apartments. Several aviation airport-based companies have committed to long-term accommodation agreements (i.e. over 12 months) to secure units to accommodate aircraft engineers, pilots and other travelling contractors.
James Mort said “This is not a build it and they will come project.
If anything, we will probably say why did we not build more at the time,
given the overwhelming response we have received to date,
before we could even make this project public.”
The project is shovel ready with construction aimed to commence in late 2024
and is expected to be completed by late 2026/early 2027.
