MONA inspiration for Gold Coast hinterland resort and gallery development

Ambitious plans have been revealed for the development of an art and sculpture gallery to match Hobart’s MONA alongside a wellness and tourism retreat that includes a six-star resort on the Gold Coast hinterland.

Chinese developer Ridong has put forward a $60 million development plan for Tallebudgera Valley that includes a 98-room resort, plus 113 residential dwellings, a 16-hectare man-made lake and a contemporary European art and sculpture gallery modelled on the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

A three-storey health and wellness centre with a day spa, two conference centres and three restaurants are also in the plans. The four-storey gallery would be privately operated, with its cultural exhibition space, 100-seat theatre and automotive museum acting as a ‘world class’ tourism attraction for an area.

Ridong is the original developer of the Gold Coast’s Jewel project in Surfers Paradise, but sold its 45% share in the development in February.

The Jewel development is currently in an uncertain state, with current owner Yuhu Group stopping work on the $1.4 billion project while it searches for a hotel operator for the central one of the three beachfront towers.

The Tallebudgera Valley development is currently in preliminary assessment with the Gold Coast City Council and is not expected to progress before 2019.