It has been years since Tony Fung first proposed his plans for a mega casino resort in Cairns. Now, the project has been approved but the development process is not happening fast enough, according to Federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb who wants the local government to fast-track Aquis. The new Aquis Casino Resort will cost $8.15 billion to build, and the development teams aims for the venue to open its doors by 2020.
To meet this deadline, construction will start in May 2016, and Mr Robb wants to speed up the approval process. Before construction on the venue can begin, Aquis must undergo several approval processes – including an Integrated Resort Development application, a casino agreement, and a gaming licence application.
The Trade Minister wants to accelerate Aquis because he believes that the sooner construction begins, the sooner Cairns will begin benefitting from the new property. It will create thousands of jobs during the construction phase and thousands more permanent positions once Aquis is open to the public.
Tony Fung has worked hard to ensure that the local community will greatly benefit from the new venue, and Mr Robb wants to ensure that the reaping can begin soon. “I think everyone who has an interest in this town, in this city, has got to put their weight behind that development,” Mr Robb says. “There’s going to be enormous benefit – thousands of jobs, and lots of opportunity.
It will be a magnet for other investment.” International tourism continues to grow in Cairns, and Aquis will help to meet the demand for more accommodation, gaming opportunities and entertainment for the increasing number of visitors from China. It is expected that 200 million Chinese tourists will be going on international vacations by 2020 – and, Cairns could provide a fantastic destination for these travellers.
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