Master plan ignites new era of growth for Great Keppel Island

• Community led master plan to redevelop Great Keppel Island (Woppa) backed with a $30 million investment
• Miles Government delivering on commitment to revitalise tourism on the iconic island and grow Central Queensland’s economy 
• Master plan’s release comes after extensive consultation
• Government has taken back leases and plan brings certainty following years of different private developers with big promises but no follow through

Photos and video available here.

The Miles Government has unveiled the blueprint to revive Great Keppel Island (Woppa) as a world-class tourism destination, with work already underway to progress priority actions.

Led by the community and key stakeholders, the final concept master plan has a strong focus on unlocking the iconic island’s full tourism potential, generating jobs, and celebrating the island’s rich history, cultural heritage, and natural environment.

The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan outlines the key infrastructure needed to make the island safer and more accessible and to support tourism development – benefiting visitors, businesses, and the community.

The plan includes:

• Sustainable tourism development to attract domestic and international visitors, including new eco resorts and precincts and a village centre
• Better access around the island, with new boardwalks, walking trails and wayfinding signs
• An enhanced arrival gateway, with options to improve maritime access being investigated
• Cultural, educational and nature-based experiences to encourage longer stays on the island
• Infrastructure upgrades, including a new wastewater treatment plant

Livingstone Shire Council is delivering the first piece of work, with $10.1 million provided by the Miles Government to build a new wastewater treatment plant and amenities blocks.

The Miles Government is also funding $500,000 for technical studies including options to improve maritime access, working with key partners to progress plans for a new $5 million gateway precinct for visitors, $5.5 million for new and upgraded boardwalks, walkways and signage, and $150,000 for a Woppaburra Land Trust feasibility study for a cultural centre.

A range of local stakeholders, including residents, business owners and operators on or servicing the island, Traditional Owners, Capricorn Enterprise, and Livingstone Shire Council, were part of the concept master planning process, which was led by a community Project Reference Group to ensure a shared, community-driven vision.

The Miles Government also held community consultations and received more than 160 pieces of feedback on the draft plan when it was released last year.

See the final Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“The community has been made promise after promise by private developers who never followed through, so the government has stepped in to work with the community to develop a tangible plan that’s going to deliver real change.

“The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan presents a clear and concise vision for the island’s rejuvenation, which has the potential to deliver huge economic benefits for Central Queensland.

“It lays the foundations for a future pipeline of construction and tourism jobs, with flow-on benefits for the supply chain and our homegrown businesses.

“We plan to make the very most of those opportunities and build the confidence and certainty needed to attract private sector investment back to the island.

“This is a plan led by the community, and I want to thank everyone who shared their ideas and feedback to help shape this vision for Great Keppel Island’s future.

“I also want to thank the Member for Keppel for her tireless advocacy.

“It’s a win for the region’s economy and for locals who want to see this much-loved island thriving once more.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism Michael Healy:

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for Great Keppel Island (Woppa), and the Miles Government’s commitment to bringing this unique natural treasure back to life.

“Great Keppel Island (Woppa) is one of the best development opportunities within the Great Barrier Reef due to its location, exceptional natural environment, and access to the coast.

“We have worked closely with the community to create a long-term vision for the island’s future as one of Australia’s leading tourism destinations.

“Protecting the island’s history, cultural values and unique characteristics through sustainable and eco-friendly development is at the heart of this plan.

“It ensures the island will maintain a strong connection to the history of the land and its Traditional Owners, the Woppaburra People.

“Our $30 million investment provides a significant boost towards implementing the Concept Master Plan and delivering the priority actions, such as a new wastewater treatment plant and improving maritime access.

“We want to see the jewel of the Capricorn Coast restored to its former glory so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Quotes attributable to Brittany Lauga, Member for Keppel:

“For years we’ve seen a revolving door of developers with grand plans for Great Keppel Island, but with no local links and no follow through.

“I’m so pleased that the Miles Government has now taken back the leases and developed a master plan with the community to guide the realisation of the local vision for Great Keppel’s future.

“Work has already started with preliminary safety assessments completed and a detailed assessment for remediation works well underway given the complex mix of public safety, health, and environmental risks on the old site which includes a former quarry.

“Signage has been installed, fire and pest management plans are being developed, and a tender to install safety fencing is due to be awarded in the next few weeks.

“With this master plan, led by the community and backed with $30 million from the Miles Government, I firmly believe Great Keppel's best days are ahead of us.”

Quotes attributable to Adam Belot, Mayor, Livingstone Shire Council:

“Livingstone Shire Council would like to congratulate the Queensland Government and the Livingstone community on the release of the Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan.

“Council is very supportive of the plan, and we reinforce our strong support for enhancing the accessibility of the island for the community, tourists, and tourism operators alike through the construction of further infrastructure, such as a jetty or on-island barge ramp.

“The concept master plan identifies a number of immediate priorities that must be undertaken to secure the viability of existing operators and underpin future growth, including replacing the existing wastewater treatment plant and improving public amenities.

“With funding from the Queensland Government, Council is well advanced on a business case for these works, which we anticipate will be presented at the June Ordinary Council meeting for consideration by Council. 

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to progress this project and the implementation of other concept master plan objectives in the future.”

Quotes attributable to Mary Carroll, Capricorn Enterprise CEO and member of the Project Reference Group:

“Capricorn Enterprise and key industry operators have consistently advocated for critical common user infrastructure, including sewerage, water, jetty, barge ramp and airstrip, to allow accessibility for all visitors for existing and future accommodation and experience development on Great Keppel Island (GKI).

“This master plan is the critical first step in ensuring that the necessary technical bodies of work can be expedited by government to pave the way to attract sustainable development as soon as possible for our destination to help achieve the state’s Towards Tourism 2032 targets.

“One quarter of the Capricorn Coast’s tourism economy is generated because of Great Keppel Island, which increases to over 50 per cent with the realisation of the GKI master plan vision, with visitors to the island generating $49.9 million in revenue for local businesses, which will increase by another $95.9 million with the implementation of the GKI master plan, bringing the total visitor spend to $145.8 million.”

Quotes attributable to Dr Sonny Van Issum, Woppaburra Elder, Historian and Chairperson of the Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation:

“The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan is a comprehensive plan that has listened to Woppaburra People and our aspirations.

“We are pleased that this plan gives us a blueprint of how to develop Woppa in a sustainable, respectful and environmentally friendly way.

“Our people have a spiritual attachment to the islands and cultural knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

“With the recent commencement and expansion of our ranger program, we are well placed to play a major role, alongside the state government and other stakeholders, in implementing this plan and caring for our Country.”

Quotes attributable to Valmai Smith, Chairperson of Woppaburra Land Trust and member of the Project Reference Group:

“I was invited to take part in the concept master planning process as the Chair of Woppaburra Land Trust and provided the Traditional Owners’ perspective with support from Woppaburra Elders and community. 

“Upon reflection, being involved from the start to the final plan has been a journey over a few years. I’m hoping to see the concepts of the plan, such as the eco-friendly, sustainable infrastructure that is much needed, come to fruition.

“The rejuvenation of Great Keppel Island (Woppa) will benefit the Woppaburra People by caring for Country and maintaining our cultural and spiritual connection to the island.

“It will also create on-country employment and economic opportunities for Woppaburra People, and we look forward to working in partnership with other businesses, organisations and all three levels of government to realise these opportunities.”

ENDS

Media Contact – Kate Talbot – 0439 803 211