Construction has begun on One Whitsundays, the first resort property to be built in Australia since the GFC.

Located adjacent to the Abell Point Marina and overlooking Hayman Island, the resort will have 75 one, two and three bedroom strata titled apartments, a spa, gym and pool.

The resort will also have a 300 seat conference centre, the first large-scale venue to be built in the region.

One Whitsundays CEO John Zappia said, “Airlie Beach is on the brink of huge economic growth. Given the recent infrastructural developments in the area, and the fact that occupancy rates are already going through the roof, this is an imminent boom investment opportunity.”

The Whitsundays is also applying for one of the casino licences that will be awarded in regional Queensland, with Chinese consortium bids of up to $5 billion recently submitted to government tender.

The resort is expected to open in August 2016.