Plans to build a world class eco-tourism resort on Great Keppel Island, Queensland are moving ahead, with Queensland’s coordinator general releasing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), of the proposed development for public comment.
The proposed development is a A$600 million low-rise, eco-tourism resort to be constructed over a 12-year period. The project would supply the region with more than 400 building jobs annualised over the 12 year construction and 1,000 additional jobs at the resort.
Grant Cassidy, chairman of Capricorn Enterprise said: “Great Keppel Island is an iconic Australian destination and this development is a critical step in helping to achieve the goals set by state government and the tourism industry at its recent DestinationQ forum. When the original resort on Great Keppel Island closed more than four years ago, the Capricorn region’s visitation dropped by approximately 200,000 per year. Local business operators want to see the island returned to its former glory and it is critical that this happens not only from a local tourism perspective but also for the whole of state tourism portfolio”.
The first stage of the development is the establishment of a new 250 suite hotel on the old resort site, with accompanying restaurants and conference facilities. This resort proposal ensures about 40 per cent of the island (575 hectares), would be an environmental protection area to be rehabilitated and protected in perpetuity.
Mary Carroll, chief executive of Capricorn Enterprise said: "The Great Keppel Island revitalisation has been one of our organisation’s seven priority projects for the past two years and I say bravo to Tower Holdings for having the commitment and perseverance to get this major project to this point.
“I urge anyone who wants to see this development happen to submit their views during the next 30 days because it is critical that if we and the broader business community want a resort on Great Keppel Island, they must voice their support."
The proposed development is a A$600 million low-rise, eco-tourism resort to be constructed over a 12-year period. The project would supply the region with more than 400 building jobs annualised over the 12 year construction and 1,000 additional jobs at the resort.
Grant Cassidy, chairman of Capricorn Enterprise said: “Great Keppel Island is an iconic Australian destination and this development is a critical step in helping to achieve the goals set by state government and the tourism industry at its recent DestinationQ forum. When the original resort on Great Keppel Island closed more than four years ago, the Capricorn region’s visitation dropped by approximately 200,000 per year. Local business operators want to see the island returned to its former glory and it is critical that this happens not only from a local tourism perspective but also for the whole of state tourism portfolio”.
The first stage of the development is the establishment of a new 250 suite hotel on the old resort site, with accompanying restaurants and conference facilities. This resort proposal ensures about 40 per cent of the island (575 hectares), would be an environmental protection area to be rehabilitated and protected in perpetuity.
Mary Carroll, chief executive of Capricorn Enterprise said: "The Great Keppel Island revitalisation has been one of our organisation’s seven priority projects for the past two years and I say bravo to Tower Holdings for having the commitment and perseverance to get this major project to this point.
“I urge anyone who wants to see this development happen to submit their views during the next 30 days because it is critical that if we and the broader business community want a resort on Great Keppel Island, they must voice their support."