Ad plan for Whitsundays vision
TYCOON William Han plans a China- wide billboard blitz promoting Queensland if he gets the green light to build a $ 583 million luxury complex with three resorts, a village and “glamping” on Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays.
The Chinese media mogul has released a masterplan of the long anticipated revamp of the Cyclone Yasi- damaged – and badly run down – former Club Med resort he bought for $ 12 million five years ago.
The White Horse chairman said he had finance to start building next year if his project won approval under the environmental impact study process.
“It has been a very long process,’’ Mr Han said.
“But I’m very relaxed about it now and, if it gets approved, we’ll go ahead and do it.”
The mining investor, who heads one of China’s biggest media and advertising empires, plans to promote Queensland and the Whitsundays through his audience reach of 200 million people in 25 cities.
“We have a lot of media power to present this product to China. There is a lot of interest in Queensland as a holiday destination,’’ he said.
The new- look Lindeman Great Barrier Reef Resort includes a six- star spa resort, two five- star resorts, two villa precincts, a village with bars, restaurants and shops, pools, an upgraded airport and a new jetty.
There are also plans for a 30- tent “glamping” facility in an adjoining national park.
White Horse Australia chief Paul Nyholt said the final hurdle of a 30- day public notification and environmental approval process was likely to take at least four months.
He said the resort would be set to open by late 2021.