Toowoomba meets criteria for regional resort opportunity

The Toowoomba region has the potential to open further tourism opportunities and develop the region after the State Government announced it would investigate the possibility for a regional resort.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise executive chairman Shane Charles said along with other key stakeholders, the chance to establish a casino in the Garden City would be investigated.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament last week that government officers were consulting casino and hotel operators, property developers, construction firms, and financiers for interest into regional integrated resort development.

Toowoomba meets the criteria including having population greater than 150,000 within 70km radius from the city centre and that the casino be near an operational international airport, or an airport that is capable of being readily upgraded to international standard.

The first international passenger flight from Wellcamp was hosted by TSBE last month, and weekly international freight flights to Hong Kong begin from November 22, proving airport capability.

Mr Charles said with 12 groups declaring an interest in the past 18 months across the state, it was clear the desire from many stakeholders was to see a casino developed to boost tourism and growth.

“We will assess the application criteria and liaise with stakeholders in the region,” Mr Charles said.

“Toowoomba is positioned to make use of the licence, but would need to establish the tourism base around the application and seek private investment."

Dr Lynham said after consultation that recommendations would be handed down early 2017.

Earlier this year Aquis withdrew from the integrated resort development process at Cairns.

Other criteria include finding significant capital investment and a construction commencement date within 18 months of approval.

Dr Lynham joined TSBE on the AccessChina’16 delegation to Shanghai, where he spoke with business leaders in the community on a range of issues. 

Mr Charles said the opportunity to host Dr Lynham on the trade delegation gave many businesses the chance to position themselves for a range of state government development projects.

“Having Dr Lynham meet the delegates and find out the concerns and successes across a range of industry groups; from education to tourism, resources and agriculture puts our region at the forefront of development opportunities,” he said.

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