Cairns Aquis integrated resort project back on agenda

The $8.15 billion Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort at Yorkeys Knob near Cairns is reportedly back on track with Hong Kong developer Tony Fung apparently having signed a Process Deed with the Queensland Government.

Fung had stalled negotiations on the project in February after unsuccessful dealings with the previous Queensland Government.

Queensland Government officials and the Aquis development team are now meeting to finalise the resort’s planning timetable with construction mooted to start in 2017.

The first stage of the project will cost $3.5 billion, and will feature one casino, five hotels of 4,000 rooms, an artificial lake and island, retail shopping, an aquarium, a theatre, a reef lagoon, an 18-hole golf course, a convention and exhibition centre and a cultural heritage centre.

Fung told the Cairns Post “we remain committed to the Aquis Yorkeys Knob project as part of our overall strategic investment plans for Australia.”

The Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort in Cairns is planned to be the largest integrated resort in Australia and one of the most impressive in the world.

The resort is expected to boost tourism in the area, particularly considering its proximity to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests.

It is expected that up to a million guests will visit the resort each year and stay for an average of four nights, with 74% of these coming from overseas. The entertainment facilities of the resort will attract another 500,000 visitors each year.

Aquis Facilities
The total site will cover more than 340 hectares, making it the largest infrastructure development ever in the history of Australian tourism,

When complete it will include eight luxury hotels with more than 7,500 rooms in total along with a convention and exhibition centre, a golf course, two theatres, an indigenous cultural center, an aquarium and two casinos. 

The grounds will feature an artificial lake and lagoon.

Impact on the Local Economy
Peak construction will take place in 2017 and will create 3,750 jobs. Aquis is expected to inject billions of dollars into the Queensland economy with its total tax contribution to Governments from 2014 to 2030 reaching $18.5 billion. The increase in Gross State Product in 2017 is expected to be $1.4 billion.

When complete, Aquis is expected to enhance Cairns’ tourism credentials as a world-class destination, creating up to 20,000 jobs. 

Aquis is part of a series of Australian investments being made by Fung.
Samuel Peary on behalf of Mansion Casino.

Click here for more information on the Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort.

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