Growing Tourism Infrastructure on the Cassowary Coast
Visitors to North Queensland have another reason to stay longer and explore the Cassowary Coast with the opening of the new $3.6 million Paddock Van Park adjacent to Paronella Park.
Partnering with Paddock Van Park and Paronella Park owners, Judy and Mark Evans, the Queensland Government contributed $2 million from the Growing Tourism Infrastructure (GTI) Fund to the development.
The development, which includes an additional 40 van sites, an amenities block, camp kitchen and a wastewater treatment plant, supported 30 construction jobs and will continue to support 12.5 jobs now that it is operating.
It is expected to cater to an additional 11 250 visitors per annum and inject $1.747 million to the local economy.
“With the devastating impact of COVID-19, we may never have been able to recover to the point of delivering this development but we are confident of a strong future for the local tourism industry,” Judy said.
“This site was once sugarcane farm and a cow paddock and now it is a beautiful, well designed caravan park with large drive-through private sites and an impressive amenities block.”
Future plans include 25 cabins, a conference facility, gallery and additional food service facility, installation of solar to power the facilities, and the planting of more than 50 000 trees.
The completion of this Paddock Van Park project takes the tally of projects funded under the $25 million GTI Fund to 18, which are forecast to attract over 324 000 additional visitors to Queensland spending more than $99 million in overnight visitor expenditure, supporting 443 construction jobs and creating 195 new operational jobs.
Find out more about the GTI Fund and how we’re supporting the tourism industry through developing new and improved attractions and experiences.