Tourism plans out

By Mitch Gaynor

PUBLIC consultation is opening for a proposed multimillion-dollar development on Steve Irwin Way at Glenview, which aims to boost the region’s tourism potential.

The proposed development is spearheaded by regional tourism group G’day Group, which is aiming to create over 340 tourist sites, featuring a variety of accommodations such as cabins, glamping tents, powered and unpowered camp sites.

In addition, the park will boast an array of family-friendly recreational facilities, including a splash park, pool, mini golf course, and BMX track.

Located just two minutes off the Bruce Highway on Steve Irwin Way, the holiday park will operate under G’day Group’s Discovery Parks brand.

The public consultation period will run from Friday, June 9 until July 4, allowing local residents, businesses, and organisations to express their opinions on the proposed development.

The next step in the project comes weeks after a court decision paved the way for two world-class wave parks in the hinterland, which could attract up to 200,000 people a year.

The G’day Group’s project has already gained strong support from prominent tourism operators in the area, including Australia Zoo, Aussie World, Visit Sunshine Coast, and Big Kart Track, all of whom have provided letters endorsing the development, the group said in a statement.

Australia Zoo’s Terri Irwin emphasized the long-term benefits of the project for the Sunshine Coast, stating: “The development of quality accommodation is in urgent need across the destination.”

She said it would complement Australia

Zoo’s recently launched Crocodile Hunter Lodge.

G’day Group chief investment officer Amanda Baldwin said the group’s confidence in the Discovery Parks model highlighted its suitability for the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland tourism precinct.

“Our development will provide muchneeded accommodation infrastructure to support the region’s tourism growth, as evidenced by the great support we’ve received from other tourism operators in the region,” she said.

G’day Group, founded by Grant Wilckens in 2004, has rapidly expanded to become

Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider, with approximately 300 properties nationwide.

The company reached $1 billion company status in 2020 and operates three brands: Discovery Parks (owned and managed parks), G’day Parks (independently owned licensed parks), and G’day Rewards (membership program).

QUEENSLAND organisations keen to deliver multicultural festivals and events across the state in 2024 are being encouraged to apply for a share in more than $800,000 through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program.

The funding helps organisations promote their culture, while ensuring all Queenslanders have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the state’s rich multicultural identity. The grants are part of the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to put the principles of the Multicultural Charter into action and promote Queensland as a place of welcome and offering opportunity for everyone.