Preliminary visibility modelling of draft proposals identified threshold heights for hotel buildings, allowing responsive siting of 'Built Form Envelopes' and screening vegetation to reduce visual impacts. Analysis of the amended resort included potential impacts on significant view corridors and landscape features contributing to the scenic integrity and aesthetic values of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Areas.

A Digital Surface Model (from LiDAR data) and 3D models of proposed buildings (using Photoshop and 3D Studio Max) allowed accurate mapping of the zone of visual influence (ZVI), identification of important viewpoints, sightline sections and photomontage visualisations. The visual impacts of lighting, including from off-shore, was also visualised using a combination of night-time GPS-located photos, the DSM and the 3D built form model with various lighting.