Additional information requested for Aquis EIS

Published Wednesday, 24 September, 2014 at 07:30 AM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General has called for additional information on the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed $8 billion Aquis Resort near Cairns.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Coordinator-General’s request for additional information followed public consultation and was a common step in the environmental assessment process.

“The State Government is committed to growing the tourism pillar of our economy, and the rigorous assessments and consultation undertaken by the independent Coordinator-General are critical in ensuring proposed projects respect the environment,” Mr Seeney said.

“The Coordinator-General has determined that he requires additional information on Aquis’ Environmental Impact Statement in order to comprehensively assess the impacts and opportunities arising from the integrated resort proposal.

“This request demonstrates the Coordinator-General is listening to the community and has requested more information on some of the issues raised during the six-week public consultation period like transport impacts and lake management.”

The proposed development site for Aquis resort is at Yorkey’s Knob, located about 13 kilometres from Cairns, and covers an area of 343 hectares.

The resort proposal includes 7500 hotel rooms, a convention and exhibition centre, entertainment facilities including theatres, gaming facilities, a golf course and an artificial lake and lagoon.

The resort could create more than 20,000 new jobs for the Cairns region.

After the additional information has been provided to the Coordinator-General, he will then evaluate the information and prepare an evaluation report that addresses all the potential impacts of the project.

The Coordinator-General’s assessment of the Aquis project does not consider the project’s proposal for a casino licence. Casino licences available for integrated resort developments are being assessed through a separate process run by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning under the supervision of probity adviser Len Scanlan.

For more information on Aquis’ Environmental Impact Statement visit: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/aquis-resort-at-the-great-barrier-reef-project.html

[ENDS] 24 September 2014

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