Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef project - Environmental impact statement

Overview

Queensland's Coordinator-General invites you to have your say on the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef project.

Prepared by Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef Pty Ltd (the proponent), the EIS describes the project and its potential environmental impacts, both positive and negative. The EIS was prepared in accordance with terms of reference approved by the Coordinator-General.

The Coordinator-General seeks your views on the EIS, including the effectiveness of the strategies Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef Pty Ltd proposes to manage the project's environmental impacts.

The Coordinator-General will consider all properly made submissions and the EIS provided by the proponent, before preparing a final evaluation report either approving or refusing the project.

The Commonwealth Minister for the Environment has determined that the project may have a significant impact upon matters of national environmental significance, and will require approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) before it can proceed. The minister will rely on the outcomes of the Coordinator-General’s impact assessment process, including any public submissions, in making a decision. The relevant matters are World Heritage Properties (Section 12 and 15A); National Heritage places (Sections 15B and 15C); Listed threatened species and communities (section 18 and 18A); Listed migratory species (sections 20 & 20A) and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Sections 24B and 24C).

About the project

Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef Pty Ltd proposes to develop an integrated resort complex, situated 13 kilometres north-east of Cairns and 3 kilometres south of Yorkeys Knob. At completion, the resort is estimated to provide employment for up to 20,000 operational staff.

The project's key features are:

• a 40 ha island surrounded by a 33 ha artificial lake to support the resort infrastructure
• resort accommodation for up to 12,000 guests in 7,500 hotel rooms, configured in 8 towers
• convention and exhibition centre
• entertainment facilities including casinos and theatres
• lagoons, aquarium and rainforest
• an 18-hole championship golf course and sporting centre.

How to comment

1. Read the EIS:

Online by clicking here. 

OR

Visit one of the following display locations between 28 June 2014 and 5 August 2014 to view a printed copy of the EIS:

• Cairns Regional Council chambers, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns
• Cairns City Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns
• Cairns Library, Smithfield Branch, 70 Cheviot Street, Smithfield
• Cairns Library, Earlville Branch, Stockland Shopping Centre, Earlville
• Cairns Library, Edmonton Branch, 175 Bruce Hwy, Edmonton
• Cairns Library, Stratford Branch, 11 Kamerunga Road, Stratford
• Cairns Library, Manunda Branch, Raintrees Shopping Centre, Manunda
• State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
• National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra ACT

OR

Order a free electronic copy or purchase a printed copy by telephoning +61 74031 3199 or emailing AquisEIS@Flanaganconsulting.com.au

2. Make a submission:

Click on 'Make a submission' below. 

OR

Fill out the hard copy submission form below and send your submission to one of the following:

• Email: aquisresortgbr@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au
   
• Post:
  The Coordinator-General
  C/ - EIS project manager – Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef project
  Office of the Coordinator-General
  PO Box 15517
  City East Qld 4002 Australia
   
• Fax: +61 7 3452 7486 

Relevant links

More information about the project

View the Aquis Resort at the Great Barrier Reef project EIS

Read more about the EIS process

Final Terms of Reference