Great Keppel plan gets the nod

Great Keppel plan gets the nod
By admin


Approval of the $600 million redevelopment of Queensland's Great Keppel Island is a "positive sign" for the revitalisation of Australia’s tourism infrastructure, according to tourism minister Martin Ferguson.

The federal government announced approval of the resort development on the island off Yeppoon today. It will be the first “Green Globe certified” tourist resort on the Great Barrier Reef and will feature a beachfront hotel, resort accommodation, a marina, retail village, day spa, golf course and upgraded airstrip.

Speaking to Travel Today at the launch of Tourism Australia’s “Best Jobs in the World” campaign in Cairns, Ferguson congratulated developers Tower Holdings for “sticking to their guns”. The firm initially submitted plans for the project in 2008, but they were rejected on environmental grounds.

“For Great Keppel this is a new opportunity,” he said. “It’s a high quality resort that will create jobs not only during construction but for the long-term.”

In addition, it will result in "better product offerings for both domestic and international tourists," according to Ferguson.  He referred to the Australian Tourism Investment program and Tourism Major Project Facilitation service which aim to encourage and facilitate similar investments.

Tower Holdings expects the resort’s construction to take 12 years, with the first stages to open in late 2014. The project is expected to create 1,400 jobs.

The approval included several “conditions” which aim to ensure the project meets environmental standards under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

However, environmentalists have expressed concerns that the development will have a negative impact on the Great Barrier Reef which could lead to UNESCO placing the natural wonder on the World Heritage endangered list in June, following a warning last year.

Latest News

  • News
  • Tour Operators

CATO Touring Academy doubles achievements

The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) Touring Academy has surpassed all expectations, with over 1,000 enrolments, 11,000 course completions, and more than 600 agents earning their CATO Touring Certification since its mid-2024 launch. As the travel industry gears up for another dynamic year, the CATO Touring Academy is empowering travel professionals to elevate their […]

  • Destinations
  • Tour Operators

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours advises final call for Anzac Day 2025

Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours has advised that the final call for Anzac Day 2025 is on 31 January 2025 with pre-registration also available for Anzac Day 2026. Travellers are encouraged to book their spot for either the 10-day Anzac Day on the Western Front departing on 19 April from Paris or the 8-day Anzac Day […]

  • Destinations
  • Hotels

Two destinations to visit in Mexico for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and here are two romantic getaway destinations in Mexico to make any traveller’s day with their special someone even better. Casona Roma Norte, Mexico City This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to visit Mexico City, as the streets come alive with roses, heartfelt gifts, and the city basks in […]