North Queensland Museum of Underwater Art receives additional funding for completion in 2021

An extra $1 million in funding will be provided by the Queensland Government to complete stage three of the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) at Magnetic Island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This funding provides the security for MOUA to complete the full installation by the end of 2021.

The announcement of extra funding makes the Queensland Government the major funding contributor to the Museum of Underwater Art project with the project being part of the Government’s Unite and Recover Jobs Plan to help kick-start regional economies tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart notes “Tourism is vital to the North Queensland economy – when this sector is performing, everyone benefits.

“This attraction is expected to bring in an additional 50,000 visitors a year to Townsville and pump more than $22.5 million annually.

“The art installation at Magnetic Island will be freely accessible and will offer an inter-tidal experience that can be viewed from the shore and via snorkel sites.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones adds “The Museum of Underwater art gives us a huge point of difference here in Townsville and reminds everyone that this region is one of the best places in the state to visit while you’re holidaying on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Minister Jones said the Ocean Siren at the Strand was already attracting nightly interest and the Coral Greenhouse at John Brewer Reef was officially opened to visitors in April 2020.

Minister Jones added “With COVID-19 border restrictions carefully being lifted, locals and interstate visitors are exploring Queensland to experience the natural beauty and unique culture of our state.

“This project ticks all the boxes and will generate a great flow-on effect for tourism businesses in North Queensland in months and years to come.”

Magnetic Island, given its easy accessibility by ferry from Townsville, was one of the most visited islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, currently attracting about 250,000 visitors a year.

Permits are required through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the project is anticipated to be completed by December 2021.

MOUA Chair Paul Victory said construction was going well and advised “We have achieved great progress with the Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville with successful installations on the Strand and at John Brewer Reef.

“This is a huge bonus for the North Queensland region, meaning locals and visitors will have the opportunity to see installations at four amazing locations, on the Strand, at John Brewer Reef, at Palm Island and Magnetic Island.

“It’s a real lift for tourism growth and is real tourism product investment in Magnetic Island.

“The Magnetic Island installation will continue the story of reef education and provide an amazing Reef Science walk along the foreshore and into the intertidal areas.

“Magnetic Island has been such an important location for the collection of data about the Great Barrier Reef over many years. The Reef Science walk will assist in telling this story.

“MOUA is planned to attract an additional 30,000-50,000 visitors annually to the region and the Reef Science walk will be a key experience to enjoy, on Magnetic Island.”

MOUA recently awarded five North Queensland Commercial Tourism Operators licences to operate as part of the MOUA brand at the John Brewer Reef ‘Coral Greenhouse’ site.

Image courtesy of MOUA