National Park Saved on Lindeman Island

As the result of hard work and persistence by National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) and others with regard to the proposed revocation of national park land on Lindeman Island to a private developer, the government has announced “The proponent … no longer proposes new development on National Park” (Hon. Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Press Release 20 December 2017).

Confidence in $583m Lindeman revamp

The owners of Lindeman Island resort have shown their enthusiasm for a $583 million revitalisation project by quickly addressing environmental concerns.

The Coordinator-General requested the island owner, White Horse Australia Lindeman, provide additional information for its environmental impact statement on October 18.

This week the office received the company’s revised plan which scraps major sticking points – new development in the national park area of the island and harbour infrastructure that would require dredging.

The initial plan included an up-market camping area inside the national park, which concerned environmentalists so much they started a petition to stop the land from being privatised. The developers have removed the camp site from their plan.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the $583million Lindeman project would deliver 600 jobs and reinvigorate tourism in the Whitsunday and Mackay regions.

“This project will bring 300 jobs to the region during the three-year construction phase and 300 ongoing operational jobs, and boost local businesses as the demand for services, produce, tourist activities and staff flows through the economy,” Mr Dick said.

“In response to government and community feedback on the draft EIS, the proponent addressed concerns about possible impacts to coral and amended their proposal to remove harbour infrastructure that would require dredging,” the minister said.

“The proponent has also revised the resort’s development layout in response to issues raised in submissions and no longer proposes new development in the national park.”

Source
Daily Mercury