State welcomes Ella Bay resort approval
Published Wednesday, 19 December, 2012 at 04:15 PM
Acting Premier
The Honourable Jeff Seeney
The Newman Government today welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to approve Queensland’s biggest-ever tourism development – the $1.4 billion integrated tourism and residential community at Ella Bay, near Innisfail in the state’s far north.
Acting Premier Jeff Seeney said approval by the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke was subject to 19 conditions to minimise potential environmental impacts, and reinforced the 37 conditions set in the Coordinator-General’s report.
The Queensland Coordinator-General had granted this tourism project approval last month and sent his report to the Federal Minister.
“This is great news for Queensland and opens the way now for the proponent Satori Ella Bay Pty Ltd to obtain the necessary approvals for this major project to proceed,” Mr Seeney said.
“I welcome the timeliness of the decision made by Minister Burke – it’s a good example of the new Bilateral Agreement working effectively in practice.
“The approval underlines our commitment to tourism as part of the state’s four pillar economy.
“Over a 15 year construction period, the developer expects to employ a peak workforce of about 400 in year eight.
“Once completed, it will create more than 800 full-time operational jobs, as well as 240 part-time peak-season jobs.
“The development is likely to generate $256 million a year in expenditure by visitors staying in the region, and $50 million in State Government taxes and duties.”
Mr Seeney said he would keenly follow the progress of this important project to ensure it delivers jobs and economic activity for the region and the state.
He said the fact that the State Government had brought the project to fruition in just eight months after it languished for seven years in the pipeline under Labor, demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the economy and fast-tracking major project approvals.
The Ella Bay project proposes the creation of three resort precincts, four residential precincts, a retail village, an 18 hole golf course and a cassowary research and education centre on the site of a 450 hectare cattle property.
[ENDS] 19 December 2012
Media Contact: Kate Haddan – 0418 373 516
Acting Premier Jeff Seeney said approval by the Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke was subject to 19 conditions to minimise potential environmental impacts, and reinforced the 37 conditions set in the Coordinator-General’s report.
The Queensland Coordinator-General had granted this tourism project approval last month and sent his report to the Federal Minister.
“This is great news for Queensland and opens the way now for the proponent Satori Ella Bay Pty Ltd to obtain the necessary approvals for this major project to proceed,” Mr Seeney said.
“I welcome the timeliness of the decision made by Minister Burke – it’s a good example of the new Bilateral Agreement working effectively in practice.
“The approval underlines our commitment to tourism as part of the state’s four pillar economy.
“Over a 15 year construction period, the developer expects to employ a peak workforce of about 400 in year eight.
“Once completed, it will create more than 800 full-time operational jobs, as well as 240 part-time peak-season jobs.
“The development is likely to generate $256 million a year in expenditure by visitors staying in the region, and $50 million in State Government taxes and duties.”
Mr Seeney said he would keenly follow the progress of this important project to ensure it delivers jobs and economic activity for the region and the state.
He said the fact that the State Government had brought the project to fruition in just eight months after it languished for seven years in the pipeline under Labor, demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the economy and fast-tracking major project approvals.
The Ella Bay project proposes the creation of three resort precincts, four residential precincts, a retail village, an 18 hole golf course and a cassowary research and education centre on the site of a 450 hectare cattle property.
[ENDS] 19 December 2012
Media Contact: Kate Haddan – 0418 373 516