The Whitsundays Tourism Opportunity Plan - Tourism Queensland

7.9 Infrastructure Opportunities and Issues
Opportunity Status Next Steps
7.9.1
Air access
Whitsunday Coast and Hamilton Island airports are
constantly negotiating increased access.
Monitor passenger mix to ensure adequate capacity
available for leisure visitors due to expected pressure
from developments at Abbot Point.
Ensure priority is gained for Bruce Hwy upgrade along
Goorganga Plains as flooding between Whitsunday
Coast Airport and Proserpine results in flight
cancellations and Visitors miss connections to Charter
Boat experiences and island transfers etc.
7.9.2
Accessing the
region by yacht
A number of marine services reports have been
completed: Marine Industry Analysis and Investment
opportunity Report completed in 2007; Marine
Maintenance Demand Analysis Report completed for
the Mackay-Whitsunday region in 2010.
Work with Industry groups to review and implement key
recommendations from reports.
7 Investment Projects
7.9.3
Accessing the
region by cruise
ship
7.9.4
Floodproofing the
Bruce Highway
7.9.5
Developing Shute
Harbour Road
from Bruce Hwy to
Cannonvale
Queensland Cruise Shipping demand study completed
2010. Cruise schedules now available with increased
number of ships now visiting however support
transport services are struggling to cope with demand
with larger or multiple boats visiting.
Upgrade of Goorganga Plains identified in Bruce
Highway reports.
Ongoing works by Council and Department of
Transport and Main Roads. Hamilton Plains area still
floods and is closed during heavy rains.
Grow shore excursion offerings and increase the level
of pre-booked tours to grow capacity for expected
growth in cruise ship visits and passenger numbers;
Continue to acknowledge and involve the Cruise Ship
Ambassadors in the development of this sector to
ensure the Whitsunday Welcome is maintained and
passenger expenditure is maximised on shore.
Inform and ensure this remains a priority with
Queensland Governments Bruce Highway Crisis Group.
Identify state and federal funding to ensure that basic
supporting infrastructure and connectivity to is in place.
Hamilton Island
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