| CRUISE SHIP DEVELOPMENT |
- The development of a seafront lifestyle precinct and cruise ship terminal in Townsville moved a step closer today with an historic agreement between joint venture partners Tabcorp Holdings Limited and Consolidated Properties Group and the State Government.
- The development agreement outlines the commitment of the joint venture to create a unique lifestyle precinct surrounding the Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino which is owned by Tabcorp.
- Included in the project is the construction of the major cruise ship terminal which is expected to cater for up to 40,000 visitors and tourists each year, as well as the construction of a world-class marina and residential development.
- Tabcorp’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Slatter, said he was delighted the project had taken the next step. “Tabcorp and Consolidated Properties are very pleased to be working in partnership with the Queensland Government to create such an exciting project for Townsville,” he said.
- “This visionary project will provide Townsville with a world class development offering tremendous economic benefits for the region and a vibrant precinct to be enjoyed by the Townsville community and tourists.
- ”Tabcorp’s involvement is to provide the land component for the joint venture. The estimated $1 billion construction project will create 1200 jobs and upon completion provide employment for a further 500 full and part time workers.
- Project Manager and Chief Executive of City Pacific Project Management, Peter Trathen, said now that the parties had agreed the development agreement with the Queensland Government, the next phase of the project would involve extensive community consultation and detailed master planning of the proposed precinct as well as a full environmental impact study.
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- "Consultation undertaken to date includes work with the Townsville City Council, the State Government and the Townsville Port Authority,” Mr Trathen said. “The joint venture will now seek input from a range of community groups including the traditional owners, business, environmental groups and local progress associations, to build on the positive work already undertaken with the Queensland Government.”
- Construction is expected to commence in early 2007.
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| MEDIA RELEASE - NEW ALUMINIUM REFINERY |
- During the last week the very big news has been that the Chinese Aluminium Company (CHALCO) has been short-listed as the contender for the development of the bauxite deposit at Aurukun and that Townsville is short-listed with Bowen and Gladstone for the site of a new aluminium refinery. This new investment into the refinery is potentially worth more than $1.5 billion. The construction workforce for the refinery is estimated at 3,100 employees. 470 employees will be required to operate the refinery once established.
- Townsville is very well positioned to capture this new alumina refinery investment opportunity. Our city welcomes new investors with a "can do" approach and provides the infrastructure necessary for successful growth. And our city and region are not sitting back on the basis of what is already in place or what has been won in the last few months. On-going additional investment into city and regional infrastructure will continue to be important and hence the support of our local Councils, State and Federal politicians is critical to attract more investment to ensure the long term prosperity of our city and region.
- It is also important to have lobbying groups to ensure that the interests of the city and region are well represented when it comes to attracting investment - from either private or public purses. I would like to recognise the roles of Townsville City Council, Townsville Port Authority and NQ Water in working with Townsville Enterprise in taking on lobbying action for this new alumina investment. All members have contributed both financially and time-wise to the activities undertaken over the past nine months to work on the alumina project and will continue to play a key role in putting Townsville's best foot forward to attract this investment.
- We will soon welcome another visit by CHALCO to Townsville to progress their feasibility studies for this project which is forecast to be Queensland's single largest investment project - ever. We will keep you updated on progress.
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