Key Initiatives
The revised GKI Revitalisation Plan has been based upon: careful consideration of Minister Garrett’s concerns, a range of independent expert reports and a detailed environmental constraints based approach to site planning.
The result has been a major reduction in the project scale and the implementation of a number of especially developed key initiatives. These key initiatives will ensure that Great Barrier Reef (GBR) World Heritage Values are protected and enhanced. They include:
- A reduction of the original project scale by approximately 75% (reduced by 50%, twice);
- A reduced development footprint limiting the total building and road footprint to less than 4% of the island;
- The establishment of a GKI Research Centre and a Biodiversity Conservation Fund;
- Buffer zones will be provided to ensure protection of habitats and to provide fauna corridors;
- A significant setback from Leeke’s Beach wetland and sensitive environments to ensure no adverse runoff enters the wetlands or the surrounding marine park waters;
- The golf course will be located on previously disturbed grazing lands and the layout integrated with essential habitats;
- A sustainability strategy to create Australia’s first “carbon-positive” island;
- The establishment of safe anchor points; and
- The establishment of 545 hectares of Environmental Protection Areas over Lot 21 (equivalent to 62% of Lot 21) for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
