Feedback on Cleveland Palms at Alligator Ck(Tsv)

[stunnedmullet]

Hi Ausfishers
This question will probably only make sense to Townsville/Nth Qld residents but I thought I would give it a try.
My wife and I are currently in the process of considering purchasing a beachouse at Cleveland Palms which is a recreational fishing villiage 20klm south of Townsville with private boat ramp access only to residents. It is a locked coomunity with approximately 320 lots. It has been around since 1987. I was wondering if any ausfisher has heard anything good/bad or indifferent about this community. The area is also under private lease(25 and 99 yr leases) which I am getting clarification on from my solicitor. In the meantime if anyone has any knowledge of this place I would be happy to hear about it.
Thanks everyone.
Damo

[eugah]

Alligator creek is good fishing & from what i have seen at Cleavland palms it is not a bad setup. I know a guy that has a block there & he loves it. Are you planning to live there or just holiday. The mossies are bad.

[stunnedmullet]

Thanks Eugah
Yep the mossies are average but seem to be worse in areas that have little breeze. Had a look last weekend and there was no wind so overcast copped a few bites but not too bad. Looking at holiday/rental, depending on how many arguements I have with the wife(although she did suggest the house in the first place)
Setup does look good, tennis courts, inground pool, conveinece store and a good ramp and pontoon setup. My query was the lease agreement. Some expire in 2012. Wondering wahat happens after that?
Damo

[eugah]

I know that they are trying to get them changed over to freehold, but not sure how it is going

[stunnedmullet]

Yep they are in negotiation. Not sure how much that would cost to go from lease to private freehold though.

[Hoges]

Hi Ausfishers
This question will probably only make sense to Townsville/Nth Qld residents but I thought I would give it a try.
My wife and I are currently in the process of considering purchasing a beachouse at Cleveland Palms which is a recreational fishing villiage 20klm south of Townsville with private boat ramp access only to residents. It is a locked coomunity with approximately 320 lots. It has been around since 1987. I was wondering if any ausfisher has heard anything good/bad or indifferent about this community. The area is also under private lease(25 and 99 yr leases) which I am getting clarification on from my solicitor. In the meantime if anyone has any knowledge of this place I would be happy to hear about it.
Thanks everyone.
Damo

Hi Damo, I used to sell land up that way back in 1993 at Bushland Beach but have not heard of this estate 20klm South of Townsville.
I would get proper legal advice on these limited term leases before signing anything.
Freehold is really the only way to go.
From what you have described it sounds very attractive. I remember how Bushland Beach developed over the time I was up there and would hope this estate does like wise.
Do you have any web links to this estate?
Cheers
Hoges

[tuppence]

hi damo got a mate with a hut there loves it but his missus wont let him sell his house to live there only bad thing i have heard there use to be a bit of
water shortage but at least there you dont get your rig vandalized

[stunnedmullet]

Thanks lads
Hoges a web address is http://www.clevelandpalms.com/index.htm
The estate has been around since 1987 and is called a "recreational fishing villiage" I have a mate who is a property lawyer checking it out and also another solicitor looking at it who does our conveyancing. The contract will be signed pending a satisfactory outcome of buliding and pest, and discussions with solicitors over the lease agreements. There are 320 blocks down there and only about 10 for sale(land only and house and land) so if there I imagine if there was a drama there would be heaps more for sale. Personally the only controversy I have heard is that the private boat ramp caused some drama beacuse it was not open to the public. It is a gated community so that is why you pay a body corporate fee I suppose.
What I did notice when we ere down there was that everyone said hello. Don't see that very often. Will keep you all updated.
Damo

[Bosunsmate]

Hi Damo,

I live in Townsville and used to live out at Aligator Creek and everyone wants a key to the gate into that place, the fortunate ones know someone living there and have a spare copy .

I personally feel that the price asked is a bit steep for a timed lease and would not be prepared to pay it, the mossies and sand flies are extremely bad at times and I would suspect the area would be subject to some flooding.

Get plenty of legal advice before you sign and visit the site before going too far.

Good luck.
Graeme

[stunnedmullet]

Gidday Graeme
Thanks for that mate. I can certainly see how the mossies and sandies would be vicious down there. After reading the contract again it really seems that after the expiry date there is no concrete guarantee that the lease will be renewed which means that you lose your property. Not a situation I am interested in. I have spoken to a friednwho is a property lawyer and he finds the whole situation with leases on freehold land confusing to say the least.
The 99 year lease would see us out but need something concrete. Feel really sorry for all those people who are on a 25 yrs lease that expires on 2012 who are wishing to sell. No chance.
Damo

[nick1971]

Hi Damo,

I would have to agree with Greame. That living there would be a misery due to the sand flies and mozzies etc. You can get to the same places within 30 minutes in cleaveland bay on most days enjoy your fishing and head back to a place to cook your catch without having to contend for your food.

And as Greame says there are a few spare keys out and about if you have the need to swag down there for a few nights.

Nick

[stunnedmullet]

Well the search for a our own piece of beach/creek continues. After discussions with our solicitor we have decided that there are so many questions that it was just not worth it. The whole lease situation is an education in itself. All in all you do not own the land rather you lease it as a tenant. I would rather pay a bit more and own my own place. I am shattered nonetheless however with the news interest rates are up again, maybe I can wait.
Thanks for all the feedback guys
Damo