2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 CONTENTS
2. Description of the Project 92 2.1 Location and Tenure...... 92 2.2 Overview of the Project...... 101 2.2.1 GKI Revitalisation Plan Design Objectives...... 105 2.2.2 Resort Accommodation and Management...... 107 2.2.3 Revitalisation Plan Resort Precincts...... 109 2.3 Construction...... 129 2.3.1 Pre-construction Activities...... 129 2.3.2 Construction Program...... 137 2.3.3 Dredging...... 148 2.4 Associated Infrastructure...... 151 2.4.1 Airstrip...... 151 2.4.2 Road Transport...... 155 2.4.3 Energy...... 163 2.4.4 Telecommunications...... 171 2.4.5 Water Supply and Storage...... 175 2.4.6 Stormwater Management...... 190 2.4.7 Wastewater...... 211
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
2.1 Location and Tenure
GKI with an area of approximately 1,308 hectares is located within the Rockhampton Regional Council local government area, approximately 12 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon in Central Queensland. The Island forms part of the Keppel group of sixteen islands and is the largest island in the group, which also includes North Keppel Island, Corroboree Island, Pumpkin Island, Miall Island, Middle Island, Barren Island, Halfway Island and Humpy Island (refer Figure 2.1). Apart from GKI and Pumpkin Island, all of the other Keppel group islands are designated National Parks which exclude development for tourism purposes.
The Island (refer Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2) is located at the southern end of the GBRWHA and is approximately 200 kilometres south-west of the closest outer reefs, the Swain Reefs (refer Figure 2.3).
The GKI Revitalisation Plan is largely proposed to occur on land areas that are currently leased by the Proponent, GKI Resort Pty Ltd, from the Queensland Government. The real property description, land area and land tenure of the existing leased lots are outlined in Table 2.1 and shown in the land tenure map (Figure 2.4).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.1 | PAGE 92 1.1 Location Map.pdf 1 21/06/12 1:30 PM
1.1 Location Map.pdf 1 21/06/12 1:30 PM 1 E R IGU F
BRU Corio Bay C E
Rosslyn Bay North Keppel Island 1 Figure 2.1 LOCATION MAP Yeppoon HIG E
H R W Great A Y The Caves
Keppel IGU Isl and F
BRU Corio Bay C E Emu Park Parkhurst
Rosslyn Bay KepNopelr Sthands Keppel Island Nerimbera Rockhampton Keppel Bay Yeppoon HIG H W Great A GraceThem Ceravees Y Keppel Isl and
C
M Emu Park Parkhurst Y
BRU Port Alma Keppel Sands CM C C ur tis E Mount Morgan MY Nerimbera Rockhampton Keppel Bay Isl and Bajool CY Gracemere
CMY
K
C HIG H W A Y M Mount Larcombe Y Gladstone BRU Port Alma CM C C ur tis E Mount Morgan MY Isl and Bajool CY
CMY 0 10 20 30 kilometres K N 1:750,000 HIG H W A Y HUMPHREYS REYNOLDS PERKINS PLANNING CONSULTANTS Mount Larcombe GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND RESORT LEGEND REVITALISATION PLAN Gladstone SUBJECT SITE Location Map
0 10 20 30 kilometres N 1:750,000 FILENAME > LOCATION MAP DATE > 02 SEPTEMBER 2009
JOB NHUO.M>PHR06E0Y0S1 1REYNOLDS PERKINS PLAANMNEINNGD CEODN>SUNL/TAANTS
GREAT KEPPSCEALL EIS>LAND1: 7R5E0,S00O0RT VERSION> 1.0 LEGEND REVITALISATION PLAN SUBJECT SITE Location Map
FIGURE 1
FILENAME > LOCATION MAP DATE > 02 SEPTEMBER 2009
JOB NO. > 060011 AMENDED > N/A
SCALE > 1:750,000 VERSION> 1.0
FIGURE 1
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.1 | PAGE 93 Table 2.1 GKI LAND TENURE PROPONENT LEASED AREAS Lot Number Plan Number Lot Area (ha) Land Ownership Tenure Lease Purpose Lot 21 SP192569 875 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Recreation Lot 1 AP2516 0.013 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 43 CP843165 0.0003 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 2 LN2615 7.986 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 31 LN2704 17.75 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 45 LN2763 3 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 46 LN2763 0.2852 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 44 LN2831 1.794 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot 8 LN2832 8.109 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot A AP2516 0.107 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Lot A AP5428 0.037 GKI Resort Pty Ltd (Lands Lease) Tourism Total Area 914.1
In addition to the land currently leased by the Proponent (Table 2.1), the following leases are required for the GKI Revitalisation Plan1:
• Lot 1 AP16085 (no title) 19.4 hectares, State Land (SL), for the airstrip (refer Figure 2.4)2; • Lot 11 AP11326 (no title) 4.8 hectares, SL, for the airstrip (refer Figure 2.4); • Lot 8 SP129154 2.99 hectares, Reserve, for the airstrip (refer Figure 2.4); • volumetric road closure of gazetted road reserve, for the airstrip (refer Figure 2.7)3; • area required for the marine facility 31.5 hectares (refer Figure 2.7); and • area required for the utilities services corridor (power and telecommunications cables and water supply pipeline) between the mainland and the Island (refer Appendix Q).
The total area of the Island required to facilitate the GKI Revitalisation Plan (inclusive of the Environmental Protection Precinct and exclusive of the marina) is 941 hectares (refer Section 2.2.3.1 for further information) The remainder of the island tenure is held by individual freehold or leased blocks, Council or State lands and Woppaburra land.
1. A permit to occupy under the Land Act 1994 for the purpose of “Investigation only” for the permittee GKI Resort Pty Ltd applies to Lot 1 AP16085 and Lot 11 AP11326 (the proposed airstrip area). 2. A permit to occupy under the Land Act 1994 for the purpose of “Investigation only” for the permittee GKI Resort Pty Ltd applies to Lot 1 AP16085 and Lot 11 AP11326 (the proposed airstrip area). 3. A permit to occupy under the Land Act 1994 for the purpose of “Investigation only” for the permittee GKI Resort Pty Ltd applies to Lot A on AP20991 (the proposed marine facility area).
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.1 | PAGE 94 Figure 2.2 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 | PAGE 96 Figure 2.3 PROJECT LOCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GBRWHA
145°E 150°E
PAPUA GULF OF PAPUA Dyke Ackland NEW GUINEA O 200 W Bay E GREAT BARRIER REEF Daru N S Talbot Islands Anchor Cay T Collingwood A General Reference Map Lagoon Reef N Bay Saibai Port Moresby Reefs L Island E Y N G Portlock Reefs R A E Torres Murray Islands Warrior 10°S Moa Boot Reef 10°S Badu Island Island 200 Eastern Fields (Refer Legend below) Ashmore Reef
Strait 2000 Thursday 200 Island 10°4055"S 145°0004"E t Newcastle Bay Endeavour Strai Bamaga WORLD HERITAGE AREA AND REGION BOUNDARY Orford Bay GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERITAGE AREA (Extends from the low water mark of the mainland and includes all islands, internal waters of Queensland and Seas and Submerged Lands FAR NORTHERN Act exclusions.) Raine Island MANAGEMENT AREA CAPE Great Detached burne Bay Total area approximately 348 000 sq km hel Reef S GREAT BARRIER REEF REGION (Extends from the low water mark of the mainland but excludes Queensland-owned islands, internal waters of Queensland and Seas mple Bay and Submerged Lands Act exclusions.) Wenlock Te Total area approximately 346 000 sq km
River G Lockhart 4000 GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK Weipa Lloyd Bay (Excludes Queensland-owned islands, internal waters of Queensland River R and Seas and Submerged Lands Act exclusions.) 12°5955"S Total area approximately 344 400 sq km E 145°0004"E C O R A L S E A YORK GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK Aurukun River A MANAGEMENT AREA T GREAT BARRIER REEF PROVINCE Archer (As defined by W.G.H. Maxwell. Includes that part of the Queensland 200 shelf that is occupied by reefs and reef-derived sediment.) Osprey Reef Total area is estimated to be 277 200 sq km Coen INDERS GROUP Princess FL Shark Reef MAJOR CATCHMENT BOUNDARY River Charlotte Bay Holroyd Normanby 2000
PENINSULA Lizard Island Pormpuraaw 14°5955"S River 15°S 15°S G 146°0004"E Coleman River R Hope Vale Cooktown E Bougainville Reef Kowanyama A Mitchell Palmer T 4000 CAIRNS / COOKTOWN Moore Reefs 200 River MANAGEMENT AREA Dianne Bank WILLIS GROUP Staaten River 2000 Mossman Low Islands Holmes Reef Port Douglas Trinity Magdelaine Cays Bay Flora Reef River Green Island Cairns Fitzroy Island 200 Herald Cays CORINGA ISLANDS Lynd Gordonvale Turtle Islet Dart Gilbert Lake Tinaroo Diamond Lihou Reef 17°2955"S Reef Heralds Surprise Islets 200 Babinda 147°0004"E 200 Einasleigh River 200 Flinders Reefs Innisfail 200 d River Islan SOUTH Herbert h) Tregrosse Reefs Tully leba nang River o B Malay Reef Dunk (C o A Rockingham Bay R Abington Reef Cardwell Hinchinbrook R 2000 River Island I E TOWNSVILLE / WHITSUNDAY Clara R MANAGEMENT AREA PACIFIC Ingham PALM Norman ISLANDS River Halifax Bay Magnetic Island Marion Reef
River ling Green Bay 200 ow Paget Cay Townsville B OCEAN Ross River Ayr start Bay Burdekin Dam Up Gloucester Island 20°S CUMBERLAND 20°S River Bowen Stawell River Whitsunday MACKAY/CAPRICORN Bowen Airlie Beach Group MANAGEMENT AREA Proserpine Lindeman Group River R E E F Cape Lake Dalrymple Broken ISLANDS 2000 River 20°5955"S Frederick QUEENSLAND 152°5504"E Reefs D River Mackay Swain Reefs I Sarina NORTHUMBERLAND
V Swain 200 Percy Isles Reefs Lake River 200 Saumarez Reef Buchanan I Isaac ound d S ISLANDS a South West Cay ro D lwater Bay B oa h Lake Galilee River S Townshend Island Capricorn Channel
I N
Belyando Great Keppel Island G River Fitzroy Yeppoon Keppel River Islands Keppel Bay CAPRICORN GROUP Tropic of Capricorn Rockhampton (23°2630S) MacKenzie Curtis THIS MAP IS INDICATIVE ONLY. Island Lake Maraboon Derived from information or materials produced by: Alice River Curtis ChannelBUNKER GROUP Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Gladstone Queensland Department of Environment and
Comet Resource Management Dawson Lady Elliot Island Geoscience Australia, National Mapping Division River Royal Australian Navy, Hydrographic Office Barcoo Lake Cania Times Books (Great Britain) Nogoa River 24°2955"S Royal Navy (Great Britain) River 154°0004"E Environmental Systems Research Institute (USA)
River Map projection: Unprojected geographic coordinates Lake Monduran 2000 Hervey 4000 Horizontal datum: Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 Lake Nuga Nuga 25°S Bundaberg Bay 25°S Bathymetric contours: Depths in metres Lake Wuruma Names are not necessarily authoritative. River Hervey Bay Fraser Island Dawson Burnett Maryborough Wide River Bay N Mary
Maranoa 0 100 200 300 R Lake 200 A Boondooma N G E Gympie River Kilometres Lake River Barambah
Map No. SDC 041206A3 Aug 2009 Nambour 4000 Caloundra 145°E 150°E Somerset Lake
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 | PAGE 98 Figure 2.4 LAND TENURE MAP
Map C 39 LN2681 21 SP192569 Lions Club of 51 SP 190992 GKI Resort Yeppoon Inc. 38.73 ha, FH abt 875 ha, LL 5550m², LL Map B 5 AP11326 1 PER207764 Map D Lot A on AP2344 Lions Club of Keppel Haven Property ( John William Yeppoon Inc. 90m2, LL RICHARDSON 1 CP900493 1300m² 3670 m², LL Keppel Haven SL Property 37 LN1761 1727m², LL 1 AP16085 898m², FH (No Title) ² ( m 2 1 19.4 ha, SL 0 H B U T T E R F I S H 1 F ² L m N 2 1 2 0 H 6 1 F 2 RP611254 ² m 502m2, FH 2 2 CP900494 1 1 1 0 H 8 6 1 F 5 9 LN1498 B A Y 8 ² Rockhampton Regional m 2 1 1 0 H 9105m², FH Council 9 1 F ² 1 RP611254 m ( 1.3 ha, RE L 2 ( ( N 1 501m², FH 2 0 H 0 1 F ² m 2 1 2 0 H ² ( 1 1 1 F 6 ² m ( 5 4 AP11326 ( m 6 8 0 2 5 1 1 Lot A on 2 0 H 7 2 1 F AP14786 ² m ² L 2 ( Lions Club of N 1 m H ( 1 0 50 SP190989 7 300m², LL H 2 1 F 1 Yeppoon Inc 3 8 ( ² Lot A on AP19923 7 F 100 m², LL m 31.37 ha, FH 2 ( d 1 ( 140 m², LL n 3 CP900494 2 1 0 H ² 7 6 1 F a 5 m 2 (No Title) 8 8 29 SP 190994 4 1 1 2
8 2 642m², FH e 55 SP190989 4 1554m2, SL 8 d 1 1 AP16085 a ( ² N ( 1100 m², LL L 1 AP2516 m 3 (No Title) n 8 1 n 6 o GKI Resort a 8 19.4 ha, SL l l Lot A on AP2516 l ( p Wreck a ( 130m², LL ² USL 12 AP11326 GKI Resort Svendsens s 6 m 4 3 1 1 E 56 SP190989 Beach 4 (No Title) 1070m², LL o 9 Beach t
0 1580m2, SL 4756 m², LL ² 1 m
2 s USL 50 SP190989 5 t 2
1 0 o 50 SP190989 31.37 ha, FH 1 L ( 0 75m E ²
31.37 ha, FH m 1 PER207764 sp 8 6
1 9 W R E C K 0 Keppel Haven 1 ( la Properties n 90m², LL Lot A on AP5428 a d GKI Resort e B A Y 370m² LL
11 de 0 25m na AP11326 29 LN2747 Leekes Beach pla (No Title) Rockhampton R.C. Es 4.8 ha, SL 8.95 ha, RE USL
E Lease A 51 SP190992 Putney s in 29 LN2747 38.73 ha, FH p Lease B ON l SP215179 a e Keppel Haven Beach d 45 LN2763 n na to OPTUS 50 CP866044 Properties P/L a pla GKI Resort P/L Mobile Rockhampton R.C. Resort, 3.69 ha d Es 3 ha, LL e 2800m², RE 1 PER 207768 ReferRefer MapMap BB 21 SP192569 Keppel Haven ( GKI Resort P/L Properties P/L ( ( Abt 875ha, LL Esp 25m², PO 43 CP843165 lana ( GKI Resort de 3m2, LL ( 46 LN2763 8 SP129154 Bald GKI Resort ReferRefer MapMap CC Dept of Natural Resources 2852m², LL ( 2.988 ha, RE Rock Lot A on AP5400 ( GKI Resort Point 6900m², PO 2 LN2615 ( GKI Resort 2 LN2615 8 LN2832 7.986 ha, LL GKI Resort GKI Resort 7.986 ha, LL 8.109 ha, LL ( 1 CP882198 Fishermans nade The State of Queensland 21 SP192569 Espla 1451m2, SL Beach ( GKI Resort ReferRefer MapMap DD ( abt 875 ha Red Beach 44 LN2831 GKI Resort LAND TENURE MAP 52 SP190991
C L A M 1.794 ha, LL 25.16 ha, FH
53 SP 190990 ( ( B A Y 75.54 ha, FH Wyndham 0 100m 46 USL42204 (No Title) Cove 2.8 ha, SL
E 31 LN2704 Long Beach s Figure ES.1 p GKI Resort la n 17.75 ha, LL Monkey Beach a e d ad e n la sp E
0 500m Little Monkey Point Halfway Island Monkey Point
NOTES: SOURCE INFORMATION: OWNERSHIP LEGEND: Drawn: Scale: SCHLENCKER SURVEYING DCE As shown This map was created to assist with identifying the registered This map was prepared using the Digital Cadastral Great Keppel Island owners and property descriptions for allotments on Great Database (DCDB). This DCDB data was supplied A.B.N. 54 516 250 722 Date: Parish: SURVEYING, MAPPING & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Keppel Island, and it should not be used for any other purpos under licence by the Queensland Department of Woppabura People No Title Registered Owners and 23-6-2011 KEPPEL without the written consent of Schlencker Surveying. Environment & Resource Management, and is current to June 2011. 181 East St., ROCKHAMPTON Ph: (07) 49 271744 Checked: County: This information is not regarded as survey accurate. Area GKI Resort Road Reserve Property Descriptions Fax: (07) 49 223164 Livingstone figures shown are estimates only. Other Land Esplanade (including Woppabura land) Also at BRISBANE & GOLD COAST Date: Ref: These notes are an integral part of this map. 5341-21
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 | PAGE 100 2.2 Overview of the Project
The GKI Revitalisation Plan (Figure 2.5 and Figure 2.6) will see the transformation of the former GKI Resort which was closed in 2008, into a world-class ecologically sustainable tourist resort destination.
The GKI Revitalisation Plan has been designed through an environmental, world heritage, cultural and visual constraints based approach to ensure the development results in minimal disturbance to the natural environment. Several project alternatives as discussed in Section 1.5 have been considered during the design process to ensure minimal impact.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2 | PAGE 102 Figure 2.5 GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND RESORT REVITALISATION PLAN
1 FISHERMAN’S BEACH HOTEL BIG PENINSULA
2 RESORT VILLAS
SECRET 3 RESORT APARTMENTS BEACH BUTTERFISH 4 PARK BAY
5 AIRSTRIP LITTLE PENINSULA SANDHILL 6 AIRSTRIP TERMINAL BEACH
7 FERRY TERMINAL
8 RESEARCH & HISTORIC CENTRE
9 SVENDSEN’S RETAIL SHOPS & TOURISM APARTMENTS BEACH
10 BARGE TERMINAL
11 GOLF COURSE WRECK BEACH WRECK BAY 12 GOLF RESORT FACILITY
13 LEEKE’S HOMESTEAD PUTNEY POINT
14 STAFF ACCOMODATION
CHOCOLATE 15 ROCKS LEEKE’S INDUSTRIAL COMPOUND BEACH 7 PUBLIC ACCESS TRACKS 10 LITTLE WRECK BEACH 8
MARINA 9 PRECINCT
BALD ROCK POINT
PUTNEY BEACH 13
CLAM BAY PRECINCT
15
3 14 5 2 1 11 FISHERMAN’S 2 6 BEACH FISHERMAN’S BEACH PRECINCT 12 3 RED BEACH 4
SHELVING CLAM BAY BEACH
WYNDHAM COVE
LONG BEACH MONKEY BEACH COCONUT POINT
MONKEY POINT LITTLE MONKEY POINT
0 50 100 200 400
GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND RESORT ~ REVITALISATION PLAN Project #: 093024 REVITALISATION PLAN 2011 08 jULY 2011
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 103 Figure 2.6 SUBMARINE CABLE
280000 290000 300000 Legend Submarine Cable Alignment Outfall Alignment GKI Proposed Infrastructure GBRMP Zoning Buffer Zone Conical Rocks (NP) Conservation Park Zone 0 0 0 0 0 0 General Use Zone 0 0 5 5
4 4 Habitat Protection Zone
7 Corroboree 7 Island (NP) Marine National Park Zone Preservation Zone Scientific Research Zone GBRMP Boundaries NORTH KEPPEL ISLAND (NP)
Sloping Island (NP) ¯ Scale1:100,000(A3) 0 0.5 1 2 3 Kilometres 0 0 0 0 Map Projection: Map Grid of Australia 1994 Zone 56 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 4 7 7
Miall Island (NP) Barren (First Lump) Island (NP) 21 East Street, Rockhampton Q 4700 PO Box 8384, Allenstown 4700 Ph: +61749229252 | Fax: +61749220195 GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND Middle Island (NP)
Great Keppel Island Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Halway Island (NP) Overview of the Keppel Island Group
Humpy Island (NP) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 4 4 7 7 EMU Figure GKI008 Revision C Pelican PARK Island (NP) 10 May 2012
280000 290000 300000
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 104 2.2.1 GKI Revitalisation Plan Design Objectives
The GKI Revitalisation Plan is underpinned by the following design objectives:
• to seek to ensure the ecological and sustainable development of the GKI Resort; • to respect and protect the OUV of the GBRWHA; • to conserve the superlative natural phenomena and areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance on the Island; • to protect the biodiversity, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem function, of the Island and surrounding marine environment; • to provide equitable, safe and convenient access to the Island by air and by sea; • to ensure that the design is responsive to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and storm surge impacts; • to promote a built form typology that: ¬¬ integrates with and is subordinate to the natural environment in terms of scale, bulk, materials and colour; ¬¬ passively and actively responsive to the Island’s mild sub-tropical climate; and ¬¬ complements the Queensland sub-tropical modern architectural design aesthetic. • to respect and enhance the Island’s existing landscape character and utilise endemic plant species where possible in revegetation and landscaping; and • to provide physical infrastructure commensurate with the intended scale and density of development.
These objectives led the development of the ‘Great Keppel Island Resort Revitalisation Plan – Plan of Development’ (Plan of Development) which provides a planning framework for the future development of the Island (refer Appendix N).
The over-arching objectives for the Project are the objectives identified in the EPBC Act and GBRMP Act.
EPBC Act Objectives -
• to provide for the protection of the environment, especially those aspects of the environment that are MNES; • to promote ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources; • to promote the conservation of biodiversity; • to promote a co-operative approach to the protection and management of the environmental involving governments, the community, land-holders and Indigenous peoples;
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 105 • to assist in the co-operative implementation of Australia’s international environmental responsibilities; • to recognise the role of Indigenous people in the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity; and • to promote the use of Indigenous peoples knowledge of biodiversity with the involvement of, and in co-operation with, the owners of the knowledge.
2.2.1.1 Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development
The EPBC Act outlines the following principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development.
• decision making processes should effectively integrate both long term and short term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations; • if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation; • the principle of inter-generational equity - that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations; • the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision making; and • improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.
GBRMP Act Objectives -
The main object of this Act is to provide for the long term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the GBR Region.
The other objects of this Act are to do the following, so far as is consistent with the main object:
• allow ecologically sustainable use of the GBR Region for the purposes including the following: ¬¬ public enjoyment and education ¬¬ public education about and understanding of the Region ¬¬ recreational, economic and cultural activities ¬¬ research in relation to the natural, social, economic and cultural systems and values of the GBR Region • encourage engagement in the protection and management of The GBR Region by interested persons and groups, including Queensland and local governments, communities, Indigenous persons , business and industry; • assist in meeting Australia’s international responsibilities in relation to the environment and protection of world heritage (especially Australia’s responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention); and
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 106 • The principles of ESD have been a driving factor in the development of the GKI Revitalisation Plan. The cornerstone of the GKI Revitalisation Plan’s ESD initiatives is a commitment to the use of renewable energy by embracing one of Australia’s most significant natural resources, its abundant sunshine. The GKI Revitalisation Plan has adopted an ambitious sustainability strategy to produce more clean renewable energy than it consumes each year. This is a specific and targeted response by the proponent to begin to address the issue of climate change.
2.2.1.2 Revitalisation Plan Architectural Ethos
The architectural design for the GKI Revitalisation Plan has been prepared by one of the world’s leading design firms for the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries, WATG (more information can be found at the firm’s website: www.watg.com and Appendix M).
WATG has a legacy of environmentally sensitive planning, architecture and design. A hallmark of WATG is its sensitivity to the influences of the local culture, the natural environment, the people and the spirit of the location.
WATG has practiced environmental and cultural design sensitivity for as long as the firm has been in existence: more than 60 years. Having designed projects in more than 150 countries and territories, the firm respects the unique environment and cultural heritage of each host country, region or community, and works to make a positive contribution to the lives and culture of that area. Their mission is “to design experiences that lift the spirit.”
2.2.2 Resort Accommodation and Management
The key design objective for the GKI Revitalisation Plan tourism accommodation is to ensure that it remains low rise (three-storey maximum) and that the built form will not dominate the Island’s natural landscape. In a report titled a Summary Report - Building Height Surveys prepared for Livingstone Shire Council (c.2004) the majority of respondents agreed that a three storey maximum building height for all general residential areas (in the shire), all rural areas and local business was preferred. The survey identified that the three storey building limit was equal to 12 metres. Following the responses from this survey the GKI Revitalisation Plan will also adopt the equivalent building heights as preferred by the community and each storey referred to throughout this document or within Appendix N is equal to four metres.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 107 Three types of accommodation are proposed:
• Fisherman’s Beach Hotel – fully serviced suites with a full array of resort amenities; • Eco Resort Villas – a low-rise, climate responsive (active and passive), resort accommodation option. The Eco Resort Villas will be free-standing and positioned within the natural topography of the Island. They will incorporate ESD design features; including roof top solar panels, solar hot water, rainwater tanks and be designed to maximise natural solar access and natural ventilation. The Eco Resort Villas will be ideally suited for tourist families or couples and will comprise an open plan layout, verandah, two/three bedrooms and kitchen facilities. The architecture of the Eco Resort Villas will be focussed on ensuring that they blend into the natural landscape and that their visual impact from the marine waters and the Island itself will be minimised; and • Eco Resort Apartments – alternative compact accommodation options, within a low-rise climate responsive built form. The Eco Resort Apartments will include similar sustainability features to the Eco Resort Villas. In contrast to the Eco Resort Villas, the Eco Resort Apartments will provide guests with a more compact form of accommodation and be located around the marina and within proximity to the Fisherman’s Beach Hotel.
The Fisherman’s Beach Hotel will be managed by an internationally recognised hotel management group. Discussions have commenced between the Proponent and various providers, with a contract to be awarded post-approvals. It is imperative that a strong management group be appointed for the Hotel as this will be a focal point of the Resort.
The Eco Resort Villas and Eco Resort Apartments will be available for purchase by individuals, although centrally managed by the Proponents GKI Resort Pty Ltd from the Island management office.
Tourists wishing to make a booking at the Resort will be able to either contact the management office direct, or book online through the website. The Resort will establish relationships with other domestic and international booking agencies and tourism offices to promote the Region and arrange bookings.
Permanent residential accommodation will not be part of the GKI Revitalisation Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 108 2.2.3 Revitalisation Plan Resort Precincts
Four resort precincts (refer Figure 2.6) are proposed by the Plan of Development (refer Appendix N):
• Environmental Protection Precinct; • Fisherman’s Beach Precinct; • Clam Bay Precinct; and • Marine Services Precinct.
2.2.3.1 Revitalisation Plan Footprint
The proposed GKI Revitalisation Plan footprint, including precinct areas and the total infrastructure footprint is provided in Table 2.2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 109 Table 2.2 REVITALISATION PLAN FOOTPRINT
Infrastructure Infrastructure Footprint Precinct Infrastructure Footprint as a as a Percentage of Area1 Footprint2 Percentage of Total Area of All the (hectares) (hectares) Island Area3 Keppel Islands4
TERRESTRIAL PRECINCTS Environmental 575 0 0 percent 0 percent Protection Precinct Fisherman’s 141 27 2.06 percent 1.23 percent Beach Precinct Clam Bay 225 19 1.45 percent 0.86 percent Precinct Total Area 941 46 3.52 percent 2.09 percent
MARINE PRECINCTS Marine Services 31.5 20.8 - - Precinct
ALL PRECINCTS Total Area 972.5 104.8 - -
Notes:
1 Precinct areas are approximate only. Accurate determination of precinct areas and project area will be subject to detailed survey of the Island perimeter and associated land title amendments. 2 Infrastructure footprint includes roads, buildings, airstrip, marina and other impervious physical infrastructure. 3 Total Island area is approximately 1,308 hectares, including 1,214.29 hectares of land title and approximately 94 hectares of Island esplanade. 4 The total area of the Keppel Islands is approximately 2,200 hectares.
The Clam Bay Precinct also contains, approximately 38 hectares of area is required for the establishment of the golf course (including but not limited to fairways, tees, bunkers). This area represents 2.91 percent of the Island and 1.73 percent of all Keppel Islands.
In addition to the infrastructure footprints identified in Table 2.2 additional areas will be impacted upon by vegetation clearing, earthworks and other direct disturbance for access and lay-down areas. Potential environmental impacts, including vegetation clearing necessary to facilitate the GKI Revitalisation Plan is provided in Section 3.2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 110 Figure 2.7 PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT RESORT PRECINCTS
SECRET BUTTERFISH BEACH LEGEND BAY PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT AREA*
MARINE SERVICES PRECINCT 1 FISHERMAN’S BEACH RESORT PRECINCT LITTLE CLAM BAY RESORT PRECINCT PENINSULA FIGURE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRECINCT** SANDHILL BEACH INDICATIVE PRECINCT BOUNDARY SUBJECT TO FURTHER DETAILED ASSESSMENT** F1 VOLUMETRIC ROAD CLOSURE REQUIRED TO FACILITATE AIRSTRIP UPGRADE/RELOCATION SVENDSEN’S ESPLANADE BEACH AREA NOT SUBJECT TO SECTION 242 PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OVERRIDING THE PLANNING SCHEME CADASTRAL BOUNDARY***
WRECK * A RESOURCE ALLOCATION OR ENTITLEMENT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR BEACH DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING A STATE RESOURCE (INCLUDING ROADS, ESPLANADE AND WATERCOURSES)
** THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRECINCT WILL MAINTAIN A WRECK BAY MINIMUM AREA OF 575HA *** GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND PERIMETER CADASTRAL BOUNDARY IS SUBJECT TO DETAILED SITE SURVEY
PUTNEY POINT
LEEKE’S CHOCOLATE BEACH ROCKS LITTLE WRECK BEACH
BALD ROCK POINT
PUTNEY BEACH
F1
RED BEACH FISHERMAN’S BEACH
0 200 400 600 800 metres N 1:20,000
SHELVING BEACH C L A M B A Y WYNDHAM COVE GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND LONG RESORT REVITALISATION PLAN - PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT BEACH Map 1 - Precinct Plan
MONKEY COCONUT BEACH POINT
LITTLE MONKEY FILENAME > PRECINCT PLAN DATE > 29 AUGUST 2011 POINT JOB NO. > 09BR186 AMENDED > 18 MAY 2012
MONKEY SCALE > 1:20,000 VERSION> 1.12 POINT FIGURE 1
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 111 Figure 2.8 DEVELOPMENT PARAMETERS PLAN
45m WIDE ACCESS CHANNEL DREDGED TO -5.9m MARINE SERVICES PRECINCT INSET LEGEND SECRET PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT AREA BUTTERFISH BEACH INDICATIVE PRECINCT BOUNDARY SUBJECT TO FURTHER BAY DETAILED ASSESSMENT
UTILITIES SERVICES CORRIDOR 2 3 STOREY (12 METRES) MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT M8 LITTLE RESORT VILLAS AND/OR RESORT APARTMENTS (INDICATIVE ) M3 PENINSULA ESPLANADE FIGURE M2 SANDHILL M6 AREA NOT SUBJECT TO SECTION 242 PRELIMINARY BEACH M1 APPROVAL OVERRIDING THE PLANNING SCHEME CADASTRAL BOUNDARY** M9 M7 MARINE SERVICES PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT M1 PASSENGER AND FERRY TERMINAL SVENDSEN’S M2 BARGE LANDING BEACH M5 M3 DRY BOAT STORAGE M4 MARINA BREAKWALL M5 MARINA BERTHS M9M M6 FUEL & SEWAGE PUMPOUT M4 WRECK M7 60M FERRY TURNING CIRCLE BEACH M8 BARGE HANDLING AREA M9 ACTIVITY NODE FISHERMAN’S BEACH RESORT PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT WRECK BAY MAJOR UTILITY (AIRSTRIP RUNWAY) ALIGNMENT F1 VOLUMETRIC ROAD CLOSURE REQUIRED TO FACILITATE AIRSTRIP UPGRADE/RELOCATION PUTNEY F2 ACTIVITY NODE (INDICATIVE ) POINT F3 INDICATIVE INDUSTRIAL COMPOUND (ENVIRONMENTALLY REFER INSET ASSESSABLE INDUSTRY, MAJOR UTILITY) LEEKE’S F4 INDICATIVE ACCOMMODATION BUILDING (STAFF CHOCOLATE BEACH ACCOMMODATION) LOCATION ROCKS F5 ACCOMMODATION BUILDING (HOTEL) LOCATION LITTLE WRECK CLAM BAY RESORT PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT M9 BEACH INDICATIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION (GOLF COURSE) AREA C1 INDICATIVE ACTIVITY NODE (INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANT, SHOP) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT M9 CONSERVATION AREA* ACCESS, MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CORRIDOR
* MINIMUM AREA OF 575HA (EXCLUDES AREA REQUIRED FOR ACCESS, BALD ROCK POINT MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CORRIDOR) PUTNEY ** GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND PERIMETER CADASTRAL BOUNDARY IS BEACH SUBJECT TO DETAILED SITE SURVEY
F3 F1
F2 F4 RED BEACH FISHERMAN’S F55 BEACH F2 0 200 400 600 800 metres C1 N 1:20,000
C L A M B A Y SHELVING BEACH WYNDHAM COVE
GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND LONG RESORT REVITALISATION PLAN - PLAN OF DEVELOPMENTOPMMEMENENT BEACH Map 2 - Development
MONKEY COCONUT Parameters Plan BEACH POINT
LITTLE MONKEY FILENAME > DEV PARA PLAN DATE > 100 SEPTEMBERSEEPPTEMTEMBBEER 2011 POINT JOB NO. > 09BR186 AMENDED > 24 MAY 2012
MONKEY SCALE > 1:20,000 VERSION> 1.14 POINT FIGURE 2
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 112 2.2.3.2 Environmental Protection Precinct
The majority of Lot 21 will be dedicated in an Environmental Protection Precinct, of which a minimum area of 575 hectares will be rehabilitated and protected (refer Figure 2.7 and 2.8). The areas contained within the Environmental Protection Precinct are proposed to have a ‘Conservation’ lease purpose (under a Lands Lease). Environmental management initiatives for the Environmental Protection Precinct are identified in Appendix O – Environmental Management Plan and includes but is not limited to weed and pest management in accordance with a Weed and Pest Animal Management Plan, including in particular the eradication of the Island’s feral goat population.
The Environmental Protection Precinct will provide for the rehabilitation, ongoing maintenance, management and protection of the environment; including culturally significant sites, and the Island ecology.
The proposed Plan of Development (refer Appendix N) identifies overall outcomes for the Environmental Protection Precinct including:
• locate consistent development within the Environmental Protection Precinct as delineated on Plan of Development Map 1 – Precinct Plan (refer also Figure 2.7); • protect a minimum area of 575 hectares; • protect the ecological values and ecological function of the Environmental Protection Precinct; • rehabilitate areas within the Environmental Protection Precinct where the natural environment is degraded and requires enhancement; and • provide ecological education opportunities, including passive recreational walking trails for nature appreciation within the Environmental Protection Precinct where the ecological significance of the area is not negatively impacted.
Allocation of land for the Environmental Protection Precinct and the implementation of the above initiatives by the Proponent are dependent on the following key aspects of the GKI Revitalisation Plan which will provide the necessary funding for the rehabilitation and restoration of the Island:
• the provision of safe, efficient and equitable air transportation to the Island which enables direct flights from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and Townsville requiring the relocation and upgrade of the existing airstrip to accommodate aircraft capable of undertaking these direct flights; • the provision of safe, all weather water-based access to the Island in the form of a new marina; • the inclusion of an 18 hole championship golf course that is integral to the sustainable water cycle management plan for the Island and reported by the Proponent to be critical to be competitive in the Australian and South-East Asia tourism market (refer Section 2.2.3.4); and • a range of tourist accommodation and retail/commercial activities to broaden the former resort’s tourist market and to establish a high quality, sustainable, carbon (energy) positive, built form typology that respects the World Heritage Values of this Australian island asset.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 113 2.2.3.3 Fisherman’s Beach Precinct
The Fisherman’s Beach Precinct, located in the south-west of the Island (refer Figure 2.5 and 2.9) will predominantly comprise an upgraded and relocated airstrip, Fisherman’s Beach Hotel and a range of supporting tourist accommodation including Eco Resort Villas and Eco Resort Apartments.
This precinct will be developed as a lively and active tourism node and will complement the range of activities occurring in the Marine Services Precinct. The site planning and architecture of the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct is also intended to complement the natural environment and will adopt styles and colours that reflect the landscape. The existing hillside villas, with their reflective white roofs will be demolished and replaced with Eco Resort Villas which, in accordance with the overarching design philosophy for the GKI Revitalisation Plan will integrate with the existing landscape.
Figure 2.9 FISHERMAN’S BEACH PRECINCT
Source: Modified from ‘Great Keppel Island Resort – Revitalisation Plan’ (2011) - WATG
The Fisherman’s Beach Hotel (refer Figure 2.9) will be located in a beach-front position along the most popular beach on the Island, Fisherman’s Beach. Located on the site of the former resort hotel, the new Fisherman’s Beach Hotel will be integral to the GKI Revitalisation Plan and will be the focal point of this precinct.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 114 A variety of other accommodation types are proposed in addition to the Hotel; including Eco Resort Villas and Eco Resort Apartments. The accommodation mix is intended to provide a variety of options to meet the diverse interests of the tourist market and to maintain a compact urban form that also fosters a resort village ambience. The resort village will extend into areas occupied by the existing airstrip and will accommodate Eco Resort Villas in a relaxed subtropical landscaped resort setting. Dedicated public access will also be made available between Fisherman’s Beach and Long Beach.
Figure 2.10 provides an artistic impression of the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct.
Figure 2.10 FISHERMAN’S BEACH PRECINCT VISUAL IMPRESSION4
Eco Resort Villas
Beach Bar/Watersports
Fisherman’s Beach
New Hotel with landscaped roof
Colours and layout of the Hotel will be designed to blend into the surrounding environment to minimise visual impact.
4. Figure 2.10 is an artistic impression only. Refer to Section 3.2.2 for visual impact assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 115 The proposed Plan of Development (refer Appendix N) identifies overall outcomes for the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct which seek to:
• locate consistent development within the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct including: ¬¬ an upgraded and relocated airstrip and associated terminal facilities capable of accommodating aircraft direct from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Townsville and other capital cities and regional areas; ¬¬ a low-rise (three storey) Resort Hotel and supporting facilities including but not necessarily limited to tourist resort accommodation comprising 250 accommodation units, reception and administration activities, restaurants, swimming pools, day spa, and conference rooms (up to 40,000m2 gross floor area (GFA); ¬¬ low-rise (two storey) tourist resort accommodation in the form of up to 4405 Eco Resort Villas (up to 165,000m2 GFA) and up to 1856 Eco Resort Apartments (up to 46,250m2 GFA); ¬¬ up to 200 staff accommodation units (up to 16,000m2 GFA); ¬¬ a limited activity node incorporating shop, restaurant, take-away food store, and office activities (up to 2,000m2 GFA); and ¬¬ physical infrastructure, including but not limited to a wastewater treatment plant commensurate with the scale and density of development within the Marine Services Precinct and Fisherman’s Beach Precinct; a waste transfer facility for the Resort; and an emergency standby diesel electricity generation plant. • to protect the ecological integrity of the coastal, hydrological (including groundwater) and marine environment at Fisherman’s Beach and immediate inland environs;
• to provide active and passive recreation facilities including a sports field and discrete parks; and
• to provide pedestrian, electric mobile resort vehicle (EMRV), buggys and service vehicle access between the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct, Marine Services Precinct and Environmental Protection Precinct.
5. The Plan of Development provides for redistribution of Eco Resort Villas between the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct and the Clam Bay Precinct where the maximum overall number of Eco Resort Villas does not exceed 750. 6. The plan of the Development provides for redistribution of Eco Resort Apartment, between Fisherman’s Beach Precinct and the Marine Services Precinct where the maximum overall number of Eco Resort Apartments does not exceed 300.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 116 2.2.3.4 Clam Bay Precinct
The Clam Bay Precinct, located central to the Island (refer Figure 2.5 and 2.11) will predominantly comprise an 18 hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design incorporating low rise Eco Resort Villa accommodation.
The Clam Bay Precinct is to include:
• up to 422 Eco Resort Villas (up to 158,250m2 Gross Floor Area (GFA))7; and • 2,500m2 GFA for other uses including the Clam Bay Golf Club and complementary activities including restaurants, shops and indoor entertainment facilities.
Figure 2.11 CLAM BAY PRECINCT
Source: Modified from ‘Great Keppel Island Resort – Revitalisation Plan’ (2011) - WATG
7. The Plan of Development provides for redistribution of Eco Resort Villas between the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct and the Clam Bay Precinct where the maximum overall number of Eco Resort Villas does not exceed 750.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 117 The Clam Bay Precinct is located on the land previously used as a sheep grazing operation and during its history has been subject to vegetation clearing practices, which has left a legacy of weed infestation.
Careful consideration of the potential impacts on the environment and the GBR World Heritage Values were taken into account in the planning and design of this precinct in order to realise a resort landscape that will complement the Island’s natural values. In particular, the design process sought to ensure that:
• the ecological and hydrological processes of the Island are not unacceptably impacted upon; • there will be no adverse runoff into the wetlands located behind Leeke’s Beach or into the Marine Park; and • the visual impact of the Clam Bay Precinct will result in minimal impact on World Heritage Values.
Figure 2.12 provides a visual impression of the Clam Bay Precinct. Refer Appendix AL for a detailed visual impact assessment on the Project.
Figure 2.12 CLAM BAY PRECINCT VISUAL IMPRESSION8
Environmental Protection Area
Wreck Beach
Environmental Protection Area
Eco Resort Villas Golf Course Clam Bay
8. Figure 2.12 is an artistic impression only. Refer to Section 3.2.2 for visual impact assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 118 Figure 2.13 provides an indicative visual impression of the siting of a Eco Resort Villa within the proposed golf course landscape9.
Figure 2.13 ECO RESORT VILLA LANDSCAPE AND SITING IMPRESSION
The proposed Plan of Development (refer Appendix N) identifies the following overall outcomes for the Clam Bay Precinct which seek to:
• locate consistent development within the Clam Bay Precinct, including: ¬¬ provide outdoor recreation activities including an 18 hole golf course and supporting facilities including but not necessarily limited to a driving range, licensed club-house (indoor recreation), reception and administration activities, restaurant, shops, gymnasium and swimming pools; ¬¬ low-rise (two storey) tourist resort accommodation in the form of upto 42210 Eco Resort Villas; and ¬¬ physical infrastructure, including but not limited to a sewage treatment plant commensurate with the scale and density of development within the Clam Bay Precinct and associated golf course wastewater reuse area; • protect the ecological integrity of the environment, including the maintenance of functional hydrological flows. In particular the wetland and estuarine system landward of Leeke’s Beach is to be conserved and protected from the adverse impacts of development including runoff associated with the golf course;
9. Please note that Figure 2.13 is a visual impression only and is not indicative of the architectural design of Eco Resort Villas, which will be subject to further detailed design. 10. The Plan of Development provides for redistribution of Eco Resort Villas between the Fisherman’s Beach Precinct and the Clam Bay Precinct where the maximum overall number of Eco Resort Villas does not exceed 750.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 119 • promote a low-rise visually unobtrusive built form (up to a maximum height of two storeys); and • provide pedestrian, EMRV, buggys and service vehicle access within the Clam Bay Precinct including connections to the Environmental Protection Precinct.
(a) Golf Course
There is currently a nine hole golf course located on the Island, immediately inland of the former resort hotel at Fisherman’s Beach (refer Photograph 2.1) which was a key marketing feature of the former resort operation and was also used to dispose of treated wastewater by irrigation.
The proposed Clam Bay Precinct golf course is integral to the wastewater treatment system for the proposed resort development. It will be designed to integrate existing native vegetation and natural waterways and will include areas rehabilitated with endemic flora species. Excavation and vegetation clearing will be limited to areas of less than five percent slope to minimise visual exposure. Grass species will, where possible be endemic to the Island and will feature drought tolerance and low-fertilizer characteristics to minimise inputs typically associated with golf courses in more urban areas.
As discussed previously the golf course will occupy an area of the Island that has been subject to historical grazing and agricultural practices, including vegetation clearing, fencing and stocking.
Photograph 2.1 FORMER RESORT GOLF COURSE (IN ITS OPERATIONAL STATE)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 120 Throughout the GBR, there are numerous examples of Islands which have golf courses, including; Dunk Island, Dent Island, Lindeman Island, South Molle Island and Magnetic Island. Daydream Island also contains a 19 hole putt-putt golf course. Each of these island resorts strongly market their golf courses in order to attract and retain guests for extended holidays on the Island.
The proposed golf course is an essential component for the viability and sustainability of the Resort due to its appeal to prospective tourists and its high amenity value. The golf course will enable the Resort to provide more facilities and more recreational options than would otherwise be available, thereby enhancing the Resort’s competitiveness as a visitor destination and its value to the Capricorn Coast.
As noted the proposed golf course will not only act as a significant tourist attraction but will also be an essential component of the Resort’s total water cycle management regime. That is, the proposed water management infrastructure intends to treat wastewater to a tertiary standard (refer to Appendix AN) and then reuse this treated wastewater to irrigate the golf course. This will allow sustainable wastewater treatment and eliminate the need to redirect the wastewater to the mainland and/or discharge it into the marine environment as is the case on many other island resorts. Robust modelling of this wastewater irrigation has been completed by specialists to inform the design of the system to ensure no adverse impact on groundwater sources, waterways or marine waters.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 121 2.2.3.5 Marine Services Precinct
The Marine Services Precinct which will be located in the north-west of the Island (refer Figure 2.5, 2.6 and 2.14) will include a marina, barge and ferry terminal, restaurants and shops, the GKI Research Centre and Eco Resort Apartments.
The proposed marina facility is an integral and essential component of the GKI Revitalisation Plan. Central Queensland is relatively under-supplied with regard to marine facilities in comparison with the rest of Queensland. A new marina at the Island would represent a major piece of tourism infrastructure for the Region and complement the mainland marina at Rosslyn Bay. Further information regarding the justification and location of the Marine Services Precinct is provided in Section 1.5.2 of the EIS and details regarding the proposed design and operation of the proposed marina are included in Appendix AD.
Figure 2.14 MARINE SERVICES PRECINCT
Source: Modified from ‘Great Keppel Island Resort – Revitalisation Plan’ (2011) - WATG
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 122 The Marine Services Precinct will accommodate an active mixed use waterfront village intended to appeal to day visitors and resort guests to this area during the day and night.
The proposed Plan of Development (refer Appendix N) identifies overall outcomes for the Marine Services Precinct, including to:
• locate consistent development within the Precinct including: ¬¬ a 250 berth marina and associated facilities including but not necessarily limited to a passenger, barge and ferry terminal, dry boat storage, and sewage pump-out facility. All of these facilities will be made available to the general public at market rates; ¬¬ low-rise (three storey) tourist resort accommodation in the form of approximately 185 tourist accommodation units (up to 46,250m2 GFA)11 that visually integrates with the headland and forested mountain backdrop; and ¬¬ a community and tourism activity node incorporating shops, restaurants, take-away food stores, offices and Sale or Hire Premises activities (up to 7,000m2 GFA). • provide pedestrian, EMRV, buggys and service vehicle access between the Marine Services Precinct and Fisherman’s Beach Precinct; • protect the ecological integrity of the coastal and marine environment at Putney Beach and surrounds; • undertake remediation, rehabilitation and stormwater quality control works associated with Putney Creek to improve and maintain the hydrological and aquatic ecology of the Putney Creek system; • provide facilities for scientific marine based research and to show-case the Indigenous and historic cultural heritage of the Island via the research centre and/or museum based activities; • ensure that the Precinct activities do not intrude upon the operational airspace of the Island; and • ensure non-accommodation uses are designed and configured in a manner that optimises the amenity of Eco Resort Apartment and Accommodation Building uses.
Access to the marina facility is proposed over a small area of Unallocated State Land (USL) and will require necessary approvals from the DNRM. Access to the marina and the marina footprint does not include any of the land owned by the Woppaburra Land Trust.
11. The plan of the Development provides for redistribution of Eco Resort Apartment, between Fisherman’s Beach Precinct and the Marine Services Precinct where the maximum overall number of Eco Resort Apartments does not exceed 300.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 123 (a) Marina
The marina will be designed to allow for safe and efficient access to the Island by sea and will be an important part of the transport infrastructure required for the GKI Revitalisation Plan. Accessibility is vital to the successful operation of an isolated island resort and the new marina will ensure equitable access to the Island. Refer to Section 1.6.2.2 for further information on alternatives for a marina and jetty on the Island.
The marina design comprises the following attributes:
• a mix of berth sizes to suit anticipated demand with a maximum berth size of 30 metres;
• a preliminary marina berths layout (refer Figure 2.15) designed in accordance with AS3962-2001 Guidelines for Design of Marinas;
• configuration to provide for barges and ferries up to 40 metres overall length;
• the harbour entrance and breakwater have been configured to provide a safe all- weather haven for vessels and minimise entrance channel length to deep water; and
• an entrance channel depth at the lowest Astronomical Tide of 3.5 metres and 4.7 metres for Mean Low Water Spring Tide.
Figure ES.5 illustrates the south-west and north-west entrance channels and clearly highlights the reduced channel length of the north-west option.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 124 Figure 2.15 PRELIMINARY MARINA BERTHS LAYOUT
Source: ‘Marina and Vessel Management Aspects’ (2011) – International Marina Consultants
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 125 Further details in regard to the proposed design and the function and operation of the marina are provided in Appendix AD.
Detailed environmental investigations were undertaken throughout the EIS process to assess the potential environmental impacts which may arise from the construction of the marina (refer Section 3). Investigations included consultation with officers from GBRMPA and MSQ who were instrumental in encouraging the Proponent to adopt innovative engineering and design solutions into the marina design.
Key areas identified during the EIS process which would reduce potential environmental impacts from the marina construction included:
• design of an alternative entrance channel route to significantly reduce the length of the entrance channel;
• assessment of alternative construction options to reduce the amount of rock armour that would be required to be transported to the Island for the breakwall construction; and
• implementation of construction methods to prevent the need for sea disposal of dredge material.
Detailed hydrographic surveys were conducted and seabed contours were developed by coastal engineers. These studies confirmed that there is a navigable channel from the north of the marina that would allow the entrance channel to be re-aligned from the south-west to the north-west. The result of this re-alignment reduced the length of the entrance channel from the original design by over 1,070 metres, significantly reducing the volume of material to be dredged - refer to Figure ES.5 (Marina Entrance Channel Options).
The GKI Revitalisation Plan proposes to reuse all of the marina basin dredge material to either:
• form the core of the breakwaters – constructed with geotextile containers and filled with sediment excavated from the marina basin. Figure 2.16 displays a conceptual illustration of the breakwater design incorporating the use of sediment filled geotextile tubes; and/or
• provide the material required for marine facility land reclamation. This material will provide the majority of the reclamation requirement.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 126 Figure 2.16 CONCEPTUAL ILLUSTRATION OF WESTERN BREAKWATER CROSS SECTION UTILISING GEOTEXTILE CONTAINERS
4m +6.5M 1m ROCK ARMOUR 0.6m ROCK ARMOUR
15 15 MARINA HARBOUR 1 1 MSL +2.4m 1m ROCK ARMOUR
EXISTING SEABED LEVEL
ELCOROCK TUBES (FILLED WITH SAND FROM HARBOUR EXCAVATION) -3.5m TO -2.5m
WESTERN BREAKWATER SCALE 1 : 200
Source: ‘Marina And Vessel Management Aspects’ (2011) – International Marina Consultants
Beneficial re-use of all of the marina dredge material will eliminate the need for sea dumping. Furthermore, it will reduce the need for a quarry on the Island and will significantly reduce the amount of rock which will need to be transported to the Island to construct the marina.
Geotextile containers are robust and designed to be filled with sand, soil, gravel, recycled material, treated materials or a combination of the above such that they form a stable, durable container.
Geotextile containers have been used extensively throughout Australia for marine applications including the following locations:
• Belongil Spit, Pelican Point Protection, Stockton Surf Club and Towra Lagoon Protection, in New South Wales; • Agnes Water Beach Stairs, Airlie Island Protection, Kirra Beach Groynes, Maroochydore Seawall, Maroochydore Beach Groyne, Russell Heads, Southport Broadwater Parklands, Narrowneck Reef and Elliot Heads in Queensland; • Aspendale Foreshore Protection, Clifton Springs Breakwater, Lakes Entrance Groynes, Limeburners Breakwater, Lake Mulwala and Portsea Beach- Stage 2 in Victoria; • Milang Foreshore Enhancement, South Australia; and • Busselton Foreshore, Western Australia.
The geotextile tubes have a design life span of greater than 100 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 127 (b) GKI Research and Historic Centre
The GKI Revitalisation Plan will seek to make a positive impact on the understanding and conservation of the fringing coral communities and marine ecology surrounding the Island. This objective will be initiated by establishing the GKI Research and Historic Centre within the Marine Services Precinct and the establishment of programs with various research and education groups. The Research Centre will be used to conduct research programs and conservation activities on the Island and within the Marine Park; monitor fringing coral communities and facilitate student research activities.
Students from local schools and universities will have access to the facility to advance their learning through practical application. The Research Centre will be available for scientists, government departments and other interested parties to conduct research in the Keppels. The design of the Centre will be developed with CQUniversity and interested conservation groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT CHAPTER 2. SECTION 2.2 | PAGE 128