Aquis to be built in two stages
The Aquis mega-resort at Yorkeys Knob will be built in two stages over 10 years at an estimated cost of $8.15 billion, according to a report by the Flanagan Consulting Group.
Aquis is expected the Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort will attract one million guests a year, a further 500,000 visitors and employ up to 20,000 people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The site plan shows the resort sitting on a 40ha island with internal lagoons and surrounded by a 33ha lake with two casinos, a convention centre in the middle and eight hotel towers on the edges of the island.
An 18-hole golf course will surround the lake.
The first stage, expected to start in May next year, is $5.05 billion, with a late 2018 completion date. It will include four hotel towers of 4000 rooms, one casino, a 23,000m² convention and expo centre, a 2500 seat theatre, plus retail space.
Stage 2, from 2020-2024, is $3.1 billion, and will add another four hotels with 3500 rooms, a second 20,000m² casino, a second theatre and more retail.
The report said at its peak 12,000 people would stay in the hotels daily.
The report warned there would be an accommodation shortage, with the property development industry given two years to allow for the peak construction workforce and five years for resort staff. Aquis would work with the Cairns Regional Council and the development industry on a housing and accommodation strategy.
