Second chance for Hummock Hill Island resort proposal

A proposed $1.2 billion tourism project on Hummock Hill Island will undergo a new assessment following Ministerial approval for the independent Coordinator-General to step in and become the decision-maker on the development application.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said he had approved the move following a request by proponent Eaton Place Pty Ltd for the Coordinator-General to use his legislative step-in powers.

The move comes after the Gladstone Regional Council rejected the Development Application in May and an appeal by the proponent to the Planning and Environment Court. 

“In the Planning and Environment Court, the Gladstone Regional Council and the proponent, Eaton Place, could be arguing for three to four years, Mr Dick said.

“That adds a lot of cost, time and uncertainty to both parties and to the ratepayers of Gladstone.

“Using step-in powers a new decision should be concluded in a matter of months.

The Coordinator-General has consulted with those who responded to the public notification of the project’s environmental impact statement, Council and State agencies and has recommended that a step-in notice is required to ensure timely decision making.

“I have agreed to his recommendation and the Coordinator-General will now undertake a new and comprehensive assessment of the development application,” Mr Dick said.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said he supported the Hummock Hill proposal as it promised hundreds of jobs for locals and a significant boost to the local economy.

“I am happy that the Coordinator General will reconsider the proposal, which aligns well with the Southern Great Barrier Reef tourism pitch focussing on future opportunities for Central Queensland,” Mr Butcher said.

The proposal is for an integrated, master-planned resort on Hummock Hill Island in Rodds Bay, 30 kilometres south-east of Gladstone.

Plans include resort hotels, holiday units and camping grounds for about 2800 people, and potential permanent housing for up to 1200 people, with education and village precincts, boat ramps, beach access, an 18-hole golf course, retail outlets and a bridge to the mainland.

If approved, the project is expected to generate an average of 190 jobs a year on the island over the 17-year construction period and deliver 700 direct tourism and related industry jobs when fully developed.

“Tourism is so important to job creation in regional Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

“The project has secured state and federal environmental approvals.

“It’s therefore important that the Development Application is assessed as quickly as possible by the Coordinator General, whose decision is final.”

ENDS

Media contact: Catherine Palmer, 0424 823 424