Central Queensland’s top 16 tourism development priorities named
Posted by editor (editor) on Sep 30 2009
2009 >>

Developing Rockhampton as a major regional sporting hub, an eco-style safari camp for Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy and new backpacker attractions are among 16 tourism projects considered a high priority for Central Queensland, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor, who was in Rockhampton to open the National Rally of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia, previewed the major proposed tourism investment projects identified as part of the Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan.

“The Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan has been more than 12 months in the making and has been developed as a partnership between Tourism Queensland, Capricorn Tourism and Gladstone and Area Promotion and Development Pty Ltd,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The Plan identifies new tourism product and investment opportunities across the region and the infrastructure needed to support them and it gives me great pleasure to be able to preview them.”

The Top 16 catalyst tourism projects for Central Queensland are:

• Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy Tourism and Recreation Master Plan
• Accessibility of Agnes Water/Seventeen Seventy
• Backpacker Investments in Central Queensland
• Development of a Gladstone Showcase Facility
• GeoPark Tourism attraction at Capricorn Caves
• Kroombit Tops development
• Mount Morgan Tourism Development
• Rockhampton and Gladstone public transport link
• Revitalising Great Keppel Island
• Rockhampton 4-5 star accommodation
• Rockhampton riverfront precinct
• Sapphire Gemfields Interpretive Centre
• Sports tourism development
• Sustainable growth at Carnarvon Gorge
• Rockhampton Zoo and Wetlands research centre
• Yeppoon beachfront tourism precinct

Mr Lawlor said a broad range of government, industry and community stakeholders across the region had been consulted throughout the process.

“This plan looks at what is already there and lists ‘catalyst investment’ projects which will take the region into the future.

“Central Queensland for example already hosts a significant number of state and regional sporting events.

“An ambition bid for a fourth Queensland team in the National Rugby League has renewed discussion of the important role of sports to the region but for this to happen, the region needs more infrastructure such as accommodation and public transport.”

Mr Lawlor said Central Queensland also had great potential to grow the lucrative backpacker market.

In the year ended June 2009, 126,000 international visitors spent time in Central Queensland, around half of whom were backpackers.

“Around 300 backpackers pass through the region each day heading either north or south and the aim is to get them to hop off their bus or out of their car and stay for awhile,” Mr Lawlor said.

“The region already has fantastic attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, islands and national parks to attract backpackers, but it is lacking in high-quality backpacker accommodation, tours and activities to encourage them to stay longer in the region.

“Backpacker numbers to Central Queensland increased seven percent on the previous 12 months so there is definite potential to grow this market.”

He said 995,000 domestic visitors also travelled to the region last financial year.

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said the project partners worked with around 100 stakeholders to identify a range of projects which would build on Queensland’s four key themes of natural encounters, adventures, islands, beaches and the reef, and Queensland lifestyle.

“The extensive consultation process has identified that these projects are needed to increase the region’s tourism credentials while being feasible and viable,” Mr Hayes said.

“This plan is a guide to help public and private investment and infrastructure come together to meet residents’ and visitors’ needs to ensure the region’s potential is realised while preserving its character and diversity.

“The Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan is a roadmap for tourism development in our region for the next 10 years and places the region in a better position to attract infrastructure funds and alerts private investors to projects that have the support of state and local governments.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Central Queensland region and opens the door to a whole range of new possibilities for its tourism industry.”

The full Central Queensland Tourism Opportunity Plan will be available on the Tourism Queensland website within the next two weeks.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 4:37 PM