Pat Flanagan, who is leading the development team for Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort in Yorkey's Knob, Cairns was the keynote speaker at the Douglas Chamber of Commerce breakfast yesterday and came along to update an oversubscribed but 'eager to know,' assembly on this unique tourism project.

He spoke for about 30 minutes, laying out a substantial amount of construction data and general information about Aquis, the biggest ever tourism project attempted in Australia. 

He confirmed that the project is being planned to cover approx 340 hectares, with Phase 1 starting in 2016 and delivering some 3000 rooms about three and half years later. 

There will be another 7,500 rooms on completion.

Phase 1 will employ about 3750 construction jobs with employment for 10,000 resort employees on completion of Phase 1 and 20,000 at the finish of the project.

It is estimated that $55 billion will be generated economy wide and a very high percentage of that will stay in the region.

The site takes up 53 hectares of natural vegetation but on completion there will be 110 hectares and no mangroves will have been moved or removed.

There is no real estate in Aquis and it is estimated that construction will therefore result in a reduction of pollutant run off of 140 tons per year.

Mr Flanagan said, "Aquis is a destination, an integrated entertainment venue.  It is not a theme park.  The theme is the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree
Rainforest.  It is the Reef and the rainforest that have as much attraction to the target audience as the other facilities in the resort."

He assured this local business audience, "Aquis will market the region as much as the venue and local destination. Basically the Casino and the resort complex is an add-on to the overall theme of the reef and rainforest.  So why would the developers want to damage the very thing they value."

The social impact of this project is acknowledged as considerable.  Population in Cairns is projected to increase by a further 90,000 to 250,000 and subsequently funding for basic infrastructure including water, sewage and roads are currently being planned to be ready in time to accommodate this catalytic expansion.

Mr Flanagan expounded the virtues of this project, "There will be opportunities for the entire region including Port Douglas and the Douglas Shire.  There will be a vast variety of jobs available from Chinese speaking management and staff to hospitality workers to back of house staff.

With this many jobs available, many people will inevitably live in Port and travel to work.  There will be additional tours to create.  An increase in agricultural provision. 

Improved infrastructure and utilities.  Cairns Airport will have a major increase in flight traffic capacity."

Mr Flanagan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Flanagan Consulting, which  has been contracted by Aquis father-and-son owners, Tony and Justin Fung, to not only develop the site but to advise them in negotiating the delicate environmental path to ensure this colossal project comes to fruition.

When Mr Flanagan was approached by the Fungs he made it quite clear this project could not impact heavily on the environment because they just would not get the support of either the local community or the politicians at any level of government.

According to Mr Flanagan, they have taken that advice on board and have instructed him accordingly.

It will be interesting to see how this futuristic project progresses. 

There are certainly economic advantages to gained by both the surrounding local community and Australia as a destination. 

It's a question, ultimately, of how close to the original environmentally protective plans the project can deliver. 

According to the information we have to hand it will totally protective.

Mr Flanagan repeated, "Aquis is being built exclusively on ex-sugarcane land.  No mangrove areas will be destroyed or built on.  China is the main target for visitors because it is only a 7hr flight and has the irresistible attraction of the reef and Rainforest when thinking Australia. 

Why would Aquis do anything to diminish or damage these natural assets? It's the hook!!"

To see Newsport's social shots of the breakfast, click here.