Global Tourism Hub a step closer for North Queensland
Published Wednesday, 20 December, 2017 at 09:49 AM
Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones
A Global Tourism Hub for Cairns is one step closer as Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones announces the government will go to community consultation today.
Ms Jones said a Global Tourism Hub including a casino was an exciting proposition for the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry but said the government would not proceed without feedback from locals.
“More tourists, staying longer and increasing their visitor spend equals new jobs and investment in Queensland,” she said.
“We’ve seen the benefits of the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project and a global tourism hub in Cairns would deliver much-needed tourism infrastructure for North Queensland.
“Cairns was identified as the first cab off the rank with the government’s Global Tourism Hub policy – a plan to secure new investment in world-class tourism infrastructure across Queensland.”
Ms Jones said aside from the public, the government would also engage with Cairns Regional Council as well as representatives from the tourism, property and development industries.
“While any tropical north global tourism hub, including a casino, could ultimately be inside a 70km radius of Cairns, the government has identified a preferred site – the Cairns City Port precinct,” she said.
“A global tourism hub in Cairns, if chosen, would integrate with the state’s project to expand the Cairns Convention Centre.”
Ms Jones said it was only a Labor government that would support tourism investment in Cairns.
“Tourism in Queensland has flourished under the Palaszczuk Government,” she said.
“We know how important a healthy tourism industry is to Queensland’s economy.
“That’s why we’re investing $134 million in this sector to create new attractions and to bring more cruise ships and direct flights to places like Cairns.”
The Queensland Government kicked off the project with the release of a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for Tropical North GTH on 30 October 2017.
The ROI is part of a multi-phase procurement process in which entities wishing to be considered for participation in the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the delivery of the project are invited to participate.
“Parties interested in being a part of this exciting project can visit the Queensland Government’s QTender website. Due to the caretaker period, the ROI process has been extended to 2pm, Tuesday 23 January 2018.
Background
The State’s GTH criteria includes:
- significant capital investment to create a development that attracts international tourists, where construction commences within 18 months of contractual close
- located within close proximity to a major population centre with a catchment of at least 150,000 people within a 70km radius of the regional centre
- near an operational international airport or an airport that is capable of being upgraded to international standards
- have well-established transport networks and significant existing tourism infrastructure with identified growth potential.
Business and community members can learn more about the project and provide feedback via:
- CBD pop-up stall
Cairns Central shopping centre, Level 1, McLeod Street, Cairns (Refer to www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/major-proejcts for dates) - Email
tropicalnorthqld@dsd.qld.gov.au - Phone
1800 100 424 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST) - Website
Project information is available at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/major-projects
Government’s QTender website
Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/major-projects/global-tourism-hubs-frequently-asked-questions.html
Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447