A new report has highlighted the substantive current and future economic significance of Great Keppel Island (GKI) to the Capricorn Coast region and the Livingstone Shire LGA.
The report by national economics consultancy firm AEC, which was engaged by Capricorn Enterprise, found that Great Keppel Island generates approximately $90.4 Million in GRP (Gross Regional Product) of which $24.5 million (27.1 per cent) is attributable to activities occurring on and associated with the tourism destination.
“The economic assessment has shown the importance of Great Keppel Island to our region’s economy,” Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll commented. “An impressive one-quarter of the coast’s tourism economy is generated because of Great Keppel Island. This increases to over 50 per cent of our local tourism economy with the realisation of the GKI masterplan vision.”
Long hailed as the jewel in the crown of the destination’s tourism offerings, visitors to Great Keppel Island generate $49.9 million in revenue for local businesses which will increase by another $95.9 million with the implementation of the GKI Master Plan, bringing the total visitor spend to $145.8 million.
The report also revealed that Great Keppel Island currently supports over 250 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) jobs in a range of industries from accommodation and food services, retail trade, transport and a range of other services. An additional 500 FTE are expected to be generated once the masterplan has been delivered.
Capricorn Enterprise was an active participant in the GKI Master Plan Project Reference Group which lodged a detailed submission to the Draft report released by the State government in July 2023.
The report stated, “Realising the economic potential of GKI can’t stop at the master plan with success of future development requiring all three levels of government to commit to action on a range of policy, infrastructure and investment attraction initiatives.”
In particular, Capricorn Enterprise sought for the immediate construction of a new sewerage treatment plant as well as timelines and funding for a jetty/barge ramp to provide accessibility for all visitors and pave the way for future resort development.
“We eagerly await the release of the Final GKI Master Plan and we are hopeful that it responds to the very specific and critical requests around common user infrastructure, timelines and funding outlined in our submission,” Carroll concluded.
