Queensland government officials have begun preliminary discussions over the possible approval of a new integrated resort in one of the state’s regional hubs.
Just three months after Tony Fung’s proposed Aquis development near Cairns was knocked on the head, a specially appointed group has started meeting with local governments, IR operators and property developers to determine how and where such a development might work.
Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and the Gold Coast are among the regions being considered, according to News Ltd.
The research group will present their finding to the government next year which, if approved, would then see the proposal put out to tender.
Despite the failure of Aquis to follow through, a regional IR is seen by Queensland’s government as a means of increasing international tourism to the Australian state. It also follows the approval of Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf development, due for completion in 2022.
