INNISFAIL ON THE COMEBACK WITH NEW COMMUNITY AND RESORT PROJECTS

Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said that today’s announcement by developer Satori of the Little Cove community and resort project adjacent to Ella Bay in Far North Queensland was a sure sign that Innisfail was on the comeback trail after the devastation of Cyclone Larry.

“This is a giant vote of confidence in the region by Satori and a great boost for local optimism in Innisfail’s future economic development,” Ms Bligh said.

“Satori aims to create a prototype for sustainable development in Australia, and that is highly commendable.

“This project is the harbinger of a larger project by Satori, the Ella Bay Integrated Resort Project, just north of Little Cove, that was declared a significant project under State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 by The Coordinator-General in September 2005.

“A requirement of that declaration is that a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared.

“The terms of reference for the EIS were finalised in December 2005 after consultation with the public and key stakeholders.

“The EIS itself will be available for public comment before mid-2007.

Local member for Mulgrave and Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth, Warren Pitt welcomed the announcement.

“Projects like these represent the hope for the next generation of economic growth and job creation in the region after housing and infrastructure services and the productive capacity of existing industries have been restored to pre-cyclone conditions.

“They provide a golden opportunity for Innisfail to rival Cairns as a tourism drawcard, creating more jobs and economic development for people in the region.

“I wish the people of the region and the developers well as they work together for a mutually beneficial outcome,” Mr Pitt said.

Satori is a consortium led by the John Holland Group and the Witt Property Group.

Media inquiries: Deputy Premier’s Office – 3224 6900