INNISFAIL is on the up and up with plans for another six-storey riverfront high-rise including a motel and private apartments commanding $800,000 price tags.

Developers want to build on the Robert Johnstone Motel site, more than two years after Cyclone Larry spectacularly blew off the building’s roof.

Plans lodged with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council last week include a restaurant, specialty shops, four levels of motel accommodation and two top levels of plush apartments.

The application comes as the town’s first six-storey development nears completion on the esplanade.

MGM Properties NQ’s Mark Mergard said the former Robert Johnstone Motel site, with its smaller Innisfail Riverside Motel, was under contract to his Bundaberg-based company with settlement expected this month and building to start before the wet season.

Innisfail spokeswoman Julie Holland said the project was part of a bigger foray into the Far North for the company, which included apartments beside the Johnstone River, further east on The Corso and a subdivision at Belvedere.

"There’s a lot of opportunity to really make the riverfront work for Innisfail, with nice new accommodation a short walk away from new riverfront restaurants," Ms Holland said.

Innisfail developer Darryl Subloo hoped people would be moving into the town’s first high-rise apartments at the River Grande complex in August.

Mr Subloo is developing accompanying marina berths on the Johnstone River.

The Imperial Tavern has been zoned for a six-storey development with plans for an apartment-motel complex.

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