THE PACIFICUS TOURISM PROJECT
Pacificus is an integrated tourism resort community that will be located on Hummock Hill Island on the Great Barrier Reef, just 35km south-east of Gladstone Airport. The creation of an entryway bridge will make Pacificus the only resort Island in the Great Barrier Reef accessible by road.
There has never been a tourism development undertaking of this scale and quality in the wider Gladstone Region and no other tourism project of this scale in the Great Barrier Reef in the past 30 years.
With its outstanding beauty, tranquillity, ideal year-round sub-tropical temperatures and world-class facilities it will herald a new era for tourism in the region attracting international, inter-state, and local visitors. It will define the image of the area as a destination in its own right (not just as a stopover) for local and international visitors and business people by creating a definitive tourist hub and gateway to exploring the great wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
An ethos of “living lightly on the land” is at the forefront of Pacificus's design and planning. Each landscape element is recognised, respected and nurtured, with all buildings complementing natural forms and scale. The hospitality products will cater to all socio-economic groups including caravan visitors, glamping, budget accommodation as well as luxury hotels and spas.
Pacificus will diversify the Gladstone economy, underpinning it with a long-term and sustainable tourism-based foundation. Through natural synergies and shared objectives, existing tourism offerings in the surrounding region will reap the benefits from the increase in tourist numbers and be able to share Pacificus’ world class recreational facilities, cultural and entertainment venues which will be open to all.
With a development footprint of approximately 10% of the total island and the remainder retained, enhanced and protected in its natural state, Pacificus will offer new recreational and cultural experiences not available in this part of the Central Queensland coastline. It will provide public access to the beaches (currently not available), as well as passive recreational activities such as walking trails, cycling paths, parklands, water sports, modern camping areas, and restaurants/cafes in a tourism resort town centre.
The project will be completed over a series of stages with appropriate bonding and insurances ensuring the completion of each stage. Being the only island in the Great Barrier Reef with permanent road access and an established local work force, there is a significant reduction in logistical infrastructure and associated building costs compared to island developments, making it incomparable to all other island tourism projects.
Pacificus allows the implementation of an infrastructure plan that delivers sustainable development outcomes and an inter-relational approach to the provision of energy, water, communications, transportation, and food supply. World leading architects, designers, technologists, innovators, and engineers have been engaged to create a revolutionary blueprint for how the environment can harmoniously co-exist with humanity.
With over $1.5 billion in direct investment in building and construction, Pacificus has been identified by Tourism Australia as a key catalyst project in the region and aligned with desired regional tourism goals for increase visitor expenditure and high quality new tourism offerings.
Upon completion, the project will generate over $100 million p.a. of tourism expenditure into the regional community. It will creates significant new local employment opportunities with an average of 190 construction jobs generated p.a. during the 17-year construction period. There will be a further 70 jobs per year generated in the surrounding areas and a further 40 jobs per year generated per year at a state level. On completion, the project will provide 700 jobs and 850 flow on jobs per year from tourism. Pacificus will provide rewarding and varied career opportunities particularly for younger people along with educational and training facilities.
Pacificus is an Australian project committed to creating new locally sourced long-term positions in planning, design, environmental management, engineering, construction, skilled trades and hospitality.
This entirely new tourism destination highly values quality, sustainability, and liveability, and is set to redefine sustainable living for future generations and elevate the Gladstone region as preeminent tourism destination in Australia.