Capricorn Resort step closer

The proposed $600 million Capricorn Integrated Resort near Yeppoon has moved to the next stage after the Coordinator-General released the final terms of reference for the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS).

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the potential project was an exciting tourism venture that could create more than 20,000 jobs.  

“The proponent, Iwasaki Sangyo Co, aims to construct a new 300-room, 5-star resort with fine dining and recreational facilities on the southern side of its existing Mercure Capricorn Resort,” Mr Seeney said.

“Being a project of significant scope, the Coordinator-General declared it a “coordinated project” in December. This means the Coordinator-General will coordinate a whole-of-government response to its assessment.

“The terms of reference for the project’s EIS have now been finalised and will ensure a range of potential environmental impacts, especially any impacts on sensitive areas like Corio Bay and Byfield National Park, will be robustly examined.

“I thank the community for informing the terms of reference for the project during the consultation period from 14 December 2013 to 27 January 2014.”

Member for Keppel Bruce Young welcomed this next step in the process for the potential Capricorn Resort.

“The Iwasaki Group has had a long history of resort management in Yeppoon and the consideration of developing this second resort really cements their commitment to our region,” Mr Young said.

“The existing Mecure Capricorn Resort is already one of the largest employers in the region and if approved, this new resort would take job creation to a whole new level.

“I’ve seen figures suggesting of up to 19,000 construction jobs could be created over the resort’s potential 20-year development period and more than 2,160 ongoing, operational jobs. The resort will be located on 9,000 hectares of land owned by Iwasaki Sangyo Co.

“Around 1,400 hectares of land will be used for the proposed integrated resort and there are plans to declare 4,000 hectares of the land as a nature conservation area.”

The finalised terms of reference for the EIS are available at http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/capricornresort

[ENDS] 5 March 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744