New eco resorts, precincts and a village centre are the cornerstones of a blueprint to revive Great Keppel Island.
A Master Plan to transform the 1500ha island, 15km off the coast of Yeppoon in Central Queensland, has been released which aims to unlock the area’s tourism potential and celebrate the island’s 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.
It 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, by building the new wastewater treatment plant and amenities blocks, as part of a $30million investment by the State Government.
The Government has also funded technical studies to improve maritime access and is working with key partners to progress plans for a new $5 million gateway precinct for visitors.
State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace said the plan presented a clear and concise vision for the island’s rejuvenation, which had 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.”
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said the master plan was a critical first step in ensuring the necessary technical bodies of work can be expedited by government to pave the way to attract sustainable development as soon as possible.
“One quarter of the Capricorn Coast’s tourism economy is generated because of Great Keppel Island (and currently) visitors to the island generate $49.9 million in revenue for local businesses, which will increase by another $95.9 million with the implementation of the GKI master plan,” Ms Carroll said.
