QLD Govt unveils new $30m master plan for Great Keppel Island

Returning Great Keppel Island to its glory days is much needed and long overdue but not everyone is sold on the new $30 million master plan unveiled this week.

Great Keppel Island off the coast of Yeppoon, Central Queensland.

Figuratively speaking, “we’ve seen this movie before” has been the reaction from some quarters to this week’s Queensland Government announcement it has a blueprint to revive Great Keppel Island as a world-class tourism destination.

Backed with a $30 million investment, the Labor government’s Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan unveiled on Tuesday outlines key infrastructure needed to make the island safer, more accessible and support much-needed and long overdue tourism development.

But while Keppel MP Brittany Lauga has talked up the announcement, not everyone is convinced.

“For years we’ve seen a revolving door of developers with grand plans for Great Keppel Island, but with no local links and no follow through,” Ms Lauga said as the blueprint was revealed.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga.

“I’m so pleased that the Miles Government has now taken back the leases and developed a master plan with the community to guide the realisation of the local vision for Great Keppel’s future.

“Work has already started with preliminary safety assessments completed and a detailed assessment for remediation works well underway given the complex mix of public safety, health, and environmental risks on the old site which includes a former quarry.”

Ms Lauga said signage had also been installed and fire and pest management plans were being developed.

“And a tender to install safety fencing is due to be awarded in the next few weeks,” she said.

“With this master plan, led by the community and backed with $30 million from the Miles Government, I firmly believe Great Keppel’s best days are ahead of us.”

But sceptics were quick to pop the announcement balloon.

LNP candidate for Keppel, former Livingstone Shire deputy mayor Nigel Hutton, said Labor “can’t be trusted” to deliver for Great Keppel Island, outlining past failings.

“After a decade of this Labor government, GKI has seen election promise follow election promise, yet little to no delivery from the Palaszczuk/Miles Government,” Mr Hutton said.

LNP candidate for Keppel, Nigel Hutton.

“The jewel in the crown of Keppel Bay has, for a decade, stagnated with the weight of the post-Covid Queensland tourism boom carried by private business and community groups, who have invested in maintaining legacy infrastructure.

“While they’ve waited for the government’s promises to be delivered.”

One Nation candidate for Keppel James Ashby said Labor had recycled a four-year-old broken funding promise to restore Great Keppel Island with its “latest public relations stunt”.

“We have yet another empty promise from Labor that is simply a rehash of the same funding announced over the last four years,” Mr Ashby said.

 “Where are the promised boat ramps, cyclone-rated jetty, solar power and backup generators, sewerage system and other facilities?

“They were nowhere to be seen during the minister’s visit.

One Nation candidate for Keppel, James Ashby.

 “The facilities really needed on the island have failed to materialise, while the piles of rubbish continue to grow.

“All we have is a couple of undercover tables and an ugly second-hand mine site toilet put in by the local council.”

State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace pointed the finger of blame for delays away from the government.

“The community has been made promise after promise by private developers who never followed through, so the government has stepped in to work with the community to develop a tangible plan that’s going to deliver real change,” she said.

“The Master Plan presents a clear and concise vision for the island’s rejuvenation, which has the potential to deliver huge economic benefits for Central Queensland.

State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace.

“It lays the foundations for a future pipeline of construction and tourism jobs, with flow-on benefits for the supply chain and our homegrown businesses.

“We plan to make the very most of those opportunities and build the confidence and certainty needed to attract private sector investment back to the island.”

What they said:

Adam Belot, Livingstone Shire Mayor

“Council is very supportive of the plan, and we reinforce our strong support for enhancing the accessibility of the island for the community, tourists, and tourism operators alike through the construction of further infrastructure, such as a jetty or on-island barge ramp.

“The concept master plan identifies a number of immediate priorities that must be undertaken to secure the viability of existing operators and underpin future growth, including replacing the existing wastewater treatment plant and improving public amenities.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot.

“With funding from the Queensland Government, council is well advanced on a business case for these works, which we anticipate will be presented at the June ordinary council meeting for consideration by council.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to progress this project and the implementation of other concept master plan objectives in the future.”

Mary Carroll, Capricorn Enterprise CEO and member of the Project Reference Group

“Capricorn Enterprise and key industry operators have consistently advocated for critical common user infrastructure, including sewerage, water, jetty, barge ramp and airstrip, to allow accessibility for all visitors for existing and future accommodation and experience development on Great Keppel Island.

“This master plan is the critical first step in ensuring that the necessary technical bodies of work can be expedited by government to pave the way to attract sustainable development as soon as possible for our destination to help achieve the state’s Towards Tourism 2032 targets.

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll.

“One quarter of the Capricorn Coast’s tourism economy is generated because of Great Keppel Island, which increases to over 50 per cent with the realisation of the GKI master plan vision, with visitors to the island generating $49.9 million in revenue for local businesses, which will increase by another $95.9 million with the implementation of the GKI master plan, bringing the total visitor spend to $145.8 million.”

Michael Healy, Tourism Minister

“We have worked closely with the community to create a long-term vision for the island’s future as one of Australia’s leading tourism destinations.

“Protecting the island’s history, cultural values and unique characteristics through sustainable and eco-friendly development is at the heart of this plan.

“It ensures the island will maintain a strong connection to the history of the land and its traditional owners, the Woppaburra People.”

Dr Sonny Van Issum, Woppaburra Elder, historian and chairperson of the Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation:

“The Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Concept Master Plan is a comprehensive plan that has listened to Woppaburra People and our aspirations.

“We are pleased that this plan gives us a blueprint of how to develop Woppa in a sustainable, respectful and environmentally friendly way.

Great Keppel Island.

“Our people have a spiritual attachment to the islands and cultural knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

“With the recent commencement and expansion of our ranger program, we are well placed to play a major role, alongside the state government and other stakeholders, in implementing this plan and caring for our country.”

Valmai Smith, chairperson of Woppaburra Land Trust and member of the Project Reference Group:

“I was invited to take part in the concept master planning process as the Chair of Woppaburra Land Trust and provided the traditional owners’ perspective with support from Woppaburra Elders and community.

“Upon reflection, being involved from the start to the final plan has been a journey over a few years. I’m hoping to see the concepts of the plan, such as the eco-friendly, sustainable infrastructure that is much needed, come to fruition.

Underwater view of the coral reef at Great Keppel Island. Courtesy of Freedom Fast Cats.

“The rejuvenation of Great Keppel Island (Woppa) will benefit the Woppaburra people by caring for country and maintaining our cultural and spiritual connection to the island.

“It will also create on-country employment and economic opportunities for Woppaburra people, and we look forward to working in partnership with other businesses, organisations and all three levels of government to realise these opportunities.”

What the Master Plan includes:

- Sustainable tourism development to attract domestic and international visitors, including new eco resorts and precincts and a village centre;

- Better access around the island, with new boardwalks, walking trails and wayfinding signs;

- An enhanced arrival gateway, with options to improve maritime access being investigated;

- Cultural, educational and nature-based experiences to encourage longer stays on the island;

- Infrastructure upgrades, including a new wastewater treatment plant.

Originally published as QLD Govt unveils new $30m master plan for Great Keppel Island