Talks continue on Great Keppel development

Key stakeholders including Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe have met at Great Keppel Island in Central Queensland after a new setback in plans to redevelop resort facilities there. The State Government this week announced that a lease transfer to proponent Altum Property Group would not go ahead after an assessment by by Deloite found it had not secured the financial capability to deliver its development. Altum has proposed a $2 billion development on Great Keppel Island including a new beachfront hotel at Fisherman’s Beach as well as low-rise accommodation, a marina, retail village, day spa, golf course, research centre, 575ha Environmental Protection Area and an upgraded airstrip. The company this week revealed plans to kick off the island revitalisation project with a glamping tent hotel on the beachfront at Fisherman’s Beach, in the footprint where the future hotel is planned. Altum director Rob McCready said the company would continue to work with the Queensland Government on a shared commitment to develop the tourism potential of GKI. Capricorn Enterprise chief executive officer Mary Carroll hosted Mr Hinchliffe, Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga, and tourism members for a private dinner in Rockhampton this week to discuss topics including the future of Great Keppel Island resort. This was followed by an island visit on Wednesday including Ms Carroll, Mr Hinchliffe, Ms Lauga, representatives from the Department of Tourism and Department of State Development, Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Andy Ireland and chief executive officer Cale Dendle. “Minister Hinchliffe and other officials attended one-on-one meetings with key operators and island residents to hear their points of view and it was a great opportunity for him to hear first-hand their views, opinions, challenges and hopes,” Ms Carroll said. She said the Great Keppel Island revitalisation project remained a very complex issue involving multiple government departments and a number of moving pieces that had to align to result in the best possible outcome for the destination. “Capricorn Enterprise, as we have always done, will continue to work with all of the islands proponents and all levels of government to ensure the advancement and success of our entire region,” she said. State Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government remained committed to seeing development on Great Keppel Island, which was why it had already committed $30 million for the development of common-user infrastructure on the island. Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe (left) with other stakeholders during the site visit.

Talks continue on Great Keppel development

Industry Queensland

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