Marlin Marina fees slashed by 50 per cent until January 31

Support for Cairns marine tourism fleet has been activated to help weather an expected 50 per cent downturn in Far North visitation caused by flooding impacts of ex Cyclone Jasper.

Support for Cairns’ marine tourism fleet has been activated to help weather an expected 50 per cent downturn in Far North visitation caused by flooding impacts of ex Cyclone Jasper.

Tourism operators who offer Far North boat trips to the reef, rainforest and islands will receive a 50 per cent discount on their berth fees at Cairns’ Marlin Marina.

Existing full-time commercial tourism operators tied up at the Marlin Marina will enjoy the fee reduction until the end of January following a deal struck with Ports North and the state government.

Cairns Marlin Marina fees have been cut by 50 per cent in a relief package aimed at mitigating an expected visitor downturn following Cyclone Jasper flooding. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

An unprecedented deluge brought by the tail end of Cyclone Jasper on December 17 ended access to Port Douglas via the coast road which remains impassable due to major landslides blocking the Captain Cook Highway, and access north of the Daintree River is currently not possible for visitors.

An excavator clears debris from a huge landslide covering the Captain Cook Highway at Ellis Beach. Debris including mud, rocks and tree vegetation completely cut the Captain Cook Highway after flooding caused by ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper created devastation across the Cairns region. Picture: Brendan Radke

However, more than 85 per cent of Far North tourism businesses are open for business.

The state government announced a $105,000 boost to emergency relief funding to support ex Cyclone Jasper recovery and $5m was pledged on Friday to support the tourism industry and operators in impacted areas.

Kicking off Tuesday, Tourism and Events Queensland will roll out a marketing and media campaign showcasing Cairns and the wider region that will be complemented by discounted flight and accommodation packages available early 2024.

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, was in Holloways Beach last week with Cairns MP Michael Healy, Queensland Premier Steven Miles, Cairns Mayor Terry James and federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt. They met with residents affected by the recent flooding in Far North Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Emily Barker

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said the most important thing was that holiday-makers planning a trip north don’t cancel their plans.

“Tourism is integral to the Cairns economy, employing one in five people in the region, so it is essential we support operators and their teams this summer as they face lower visitor numbers after Cyclone Jasper and the flooding,” he said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen. Picture: Brendan Radke

Business support, to total $5m, will focus on tourism businesses not eligible for the existing Small Business Grants and minor infrastructure repairs. A dedicated tourism response officer will be placed with Tourism Tropical North Queensland for a minimum of three months. The peak tourism body’s chief executive Mark Olsen welcomed the slashing of marina fees.

“This was one of the suggestions made by the industry in discussions with the Premier and Minister for Tourism and we appreciate being heard and backed up,” he said.

Damon and Rachel Thompson with Sharron Cupitt and Ed the dog on a rescue boat leaving Holloways Beach. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Follow @petercarruther1

Originally published as Marlin Marina fees slashed by 50 per cent until January 31