QUEENSLAND COMPANY BUILDING LANDMARKS IN DUBAI

Highly regarded Queensland-based development company, the Sunland Group, is helping shape Dubai’s ever-expanding skyline, with a number of landmark high-rise buildings on the books for construction in the desert city.

Meeting with Sunland Group representatives in Dubai today, Minister for Trade John Mickel said the ASX listed enterprise had built some of Queensland’s most recognisable buildings - including Q1 and the Palazzo Versace Hotel on the Gold Coast - and is a shining example of our State’s export capabilities and Toward Q2 vision.

“The Sunland Group is making a huge impression not only in Queensland, but also globally with exciting architecture and a long record of delivering world class, large scale building projects, particularly for the residential and hotel sectors,” Mr Mickel said

“The company has already built a strong profile in the Middle East, and their latest high-rise residential project will help to further position Sunland as a premier builder in one of the world’s fastest-growing construction markets.

“The Atrium’s curved, merging dual tower design will make it a showcase building for Sunland Group, with 68 residential floors towering 278 metres above the ground.

“The tower will be located on the water, increasing the value and appeal for investors interested in any of the 500 different sized, differently shaped studios, apartments and penthouses.

“It will also incorporate state-of-the-art wind and solar power generating systems in line with Dubai’s strong environment-friendly building code.

“The Atrium is to be constructed as part of the new Waterfront development, which is unique in that it allows expatriate freehold ownership of beachfront property for the first time in Dubai,” Mr Mickel said.

Mr Mickel said The Atrium is a worthy addition to the Sunland Group’s other ongoing investments, the 80-storey D1 Tower and the new Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, both well advanced in their construction.

“Positioned adjacent to each other, these two projects in Dubai are reminiscent of Sunland Group’s major projects on Queensland’s Gold Coast – namely the Q1 Tower and the Palazzo Versace Hotel.

“I sincerely congratulate the Sunland Group on their successful foray into the competitive high-end Middle East development market, and wish them well with their ongoing projects in this exciting, fast growing region,” he said.

The Sunland Group is celebrating 25 years of operation in November 2008. The company currently employs around 1000 employees, with 750 in offices around Australia and a further 250 based in Dubai.

25 November 2008

Minister Mickel’s office contact : Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or David Robertson 3235 4060