Coast receives major blow as Capricorn Resort downsizes

It was announced today that Capricorn Resort in Yeppoon is to undergo substantial downsizing, with two accommodation buildings set to close by end of year.

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll announced the transformation this morning, affirming yet another blow for the holiday destination after Mercure Branding was removed only last month.

As a result, the Accor Group will no longer manage the holiday destination as of the end of the month, and resort owner Iwasaki Sangyo will be taking over operations from November 1.

“In order to avoid rumours which are currently circulating regarding the operation of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, I provide information as provided to me,” Ms Carroll said

“In December 2013, the future redevelopment of the company’s property was declared a State Significant Project by the State Government, with the company currently undertaking an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).”

Capricorn Resort’s new general manager Ross Greenaway told The Bulletin the changes would also have an unfortunate impact on the staff, with about 25 staff being made redundant.

“We are obviously trying to minimise but I would estimate it would be around 20 to 25,” he said yesterday.

“But as announced to the staff, that is something we are still looking at. We hope to offer most of those new casual positions.

“We need to achieve a commercial result and at the same time minimise the effect to individuals.”

Plans for Capricorn Resort

• Mr Ross Greenaway is the current General Manager of the Resort, with Mat Finch returning to Accor
• From the 1^st November 2015, the 113 rooms in the Royal Palms building (the reception building) will remain OPEN and available for bookings
• From 1^st December 2015, Queen Palms (The Palms) accommodation (convention centre building) will close
• Araucaria building (apartments) will close after the Christmas and New Year period
• All current bookings at the Resort in any of the three accommodation buildings will be honoured, so guest disruption will be minimal
• From 19^th October 2015, the Resort Golf Course (the ‘old’) will be closed
• The Championship Golf course (the “new”) will remain open
• All three restaurants – Tsuruya (Japanese restaurant), Billabong, Lagoon will remain open
• The two bars – Rocks bar (reception building) and Ripples Bar (by the pool) will remain open
• Conference Facilities – will continue but will be monitored for further review
• Horse riding, massage, resort shop and café will be reviewed (please note that the horse riding is currently operated by a private contractor)