Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Hon Andrew Powell MP, co-hosted by Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton and Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll was keen to inspect Great Keppel Island (Woppa) last week and cover as much ground and meet with as many tourism operators as possible in less than 24 hours!
Thanks to a few of our Platinum and Gold Tourism Members who were able to meet Minister Powell over a late dinner at Vue Wine Bar & Restaurant (Livingstone Shire Council, Keppel Bay Marina, Freedom Fast Cats, Salty Lime Co, Koorana Crocodile Farm, Capricorn Caves). After hearing from our passionate operators, the Minister was inspired to ensure a future family holiday includes our destination’s diversity of experiences.
After an early morning visit to Yeppoon Lagoon to meet with Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton and owner/operators from The Rocks, Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club, Iwasaki Sangyo, Keppel Bay Marina and Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, a media doorstop was held at Freedom Fast Cats, Pier One, Rosslyn Bay Harbour to officially announce the awarded tender to Paynters P/L to commence construction of the GKI Arrivals Plaza in February 2026. Making use of the ferry time to GKI, Livingstone Shire Council representatives provided an overview of the four (4) projects underway for the new Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), Wayfinding/Interpretive Signage project, Arrivals Plaza & Amenities, and Boardwalk plans on island.
Upon arrival on Great Keppel Island (Woppa), GKI Hideaway and Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation (WTAC) kindly met our party with buggies to inspect as much as GKI as possible in a short space of time. After heading up to the First Lookout and past the STP underway, an inspection of the old Resort site, followed by the incredible Wopparaburra Land & Sea Ranger rehabilitation work, a site inspection of the Arrivals Plaza site, then a walk through of GKI Hideaway to inspect the new desalination plant and glamping ecotents and the revetment wall. A visit to GKI Holiday Village was followed by lunch at GKI Hideaway, where Minister Powell also met our local CQ Plastic Free representative, an initiative that he commenced when he was last Minister for Environment over ten years ago. Returning on Keppel Konnections, Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton returned the Minister to the Airport en-route via the brand new Jabiru Events Centre.
Related media releases:
- Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation (The Hon. Andrew Powell) – Revitalised greatness for Great Keppel Island
- Livingstone Shire (Capricorn Coast) Council – Successful tender awarded for Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Arrivals Plaza and Amenities Project
