Tourism dream to take off in North Queensland
A plan to transform a Whitsundays island gateway is a step closer, after the state government announced it had streamlined approval processes.
A plan to build a cable car from the heart of Airlie Beach to a summit in Conway National Park is a step closer, after the state government announced it was streamlining its approval process.
The state government has declared the Whitsunday Skyway Project a Prescribed Project, enabling streamlined approvals for the huge eco-tourism attraction.
The announcement is in addition to the $5 million funding the government has already pledged to the plan, which promises full panoramic views of the Whitsunday Islands.
In addition to the 1.8km cableway, it was expected to feature a downhill luge, dining and hospitality venues and access to bushwalking and mountain biking trails.
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It was estimated to draw in about 250,000 visitors annually, according to state government figures.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the project was a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the Whitsundays in an innovative way”.
“By streamlining approvals, we’re helping the consortium get shovels in the ground sooner, creating real jobs for Queenslanders and delivering a world-class attraction that will draw visitors from around the globe,” he said in a statement.
The development was expected to create nearly 400 jobs during construction and support 80 jobs once completed.
The project remained subject to approvals at state and federal levels before construction commenced.
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