Builders back casino project
CONSTRUCTION leaders say a proposed $3 billion casino and resort development at Yorkeys Knob is the type of project the city has been crying out for.
Hong Kong businessman Tony Fung has been in Cairns this week to discuss his plans for a $3 billion casino and five-star hotel resort at Yorkeys Knob.
The project – earmarked for a 283ha site on a cane paddock – would include a casino, five luxury hotel chains, residential villas, lagoons, aquarium and golf course.
Queensland Master Builders regional manager Ron Bannah said the project would be a god-send for the struggling building industry in the Far North.
With the long-awaited entertainment precinct now set to be downgraded and face more delays,
Tony Fung from Hong Kong. Mr Bannah said the Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment was Cairns’ sole big ticket project.
‘‘That’s about the limit of development going on at the moment apart from the civil work on the southern corridor project,’’ he said.
Mr Bannah said big-scale projects were vital for maintaining a skills base and providing a constant workload for the industry.
‘‘This would be a significant project for the building and construction industry and we haven’t had anything like this for years,’’ he said.
He said the region was capable of providing the workforce for a project of this scale.
‘‘I’d like to think our industry in FNQ is fairly self-sufficient and we have all the players here that could capably build such a project,’’ Mr Bannah said.
‘‘I hope that point is being passed on to the developer – that they do not have to go too far to find anyone else to participate in the construction.’’
Local building company owner John O’Grady said it was a rare opportunity for the Far North’s building industry.
‘‘The number of big ticket projects slipping through the fingers of the Cairns business community and ending up in Townsville is just enormous,’’ he said.