summary of regional...

SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS

RESEARCH PAPER APRIL 2016

VISION 1

KEY MESSAGES FOR TARGET MARKETS 2

REGIONAL SNAPSHOT 3

ACCESS TO THE REGION 4

TRAFFIC TO PORT OF AIRLIE 5

ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC 6 REGIONAL STATISTICS - SUMMARY

TOURISM STATS 7-8

INVESTING IN THE WHITSUNDAY REGION 9

ECONOMY 10

OUR FUTURE 11

DISCLAIMER

Although all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this brochure is accurate, neither Port of Airlie nor its related companies, officers and agents accept any responsibility or liability whatso-ever to any person seeking to rely on any information, projection or opinion contained in this brochure for any loss, damage or claim suffered by any such person.

Any person interested in any of the information referred to in this report should conduct their own investigations and enquiries and seek appropriate ac-counting, legal and taxation advice.

CONTENTSPort of Airlie Marina and Sales CentrePO Box 586, Airlie Beach, QLD, 4802Ph: 1800 676 526 [email protected]

Meridien AB Pty Lty & Meridien Airlie Beach Pty Ltd (Both Receivers and Managers Appointed)(Both In Liquidation)

SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS

VISIONPort of Airlie is one of the leading residential, resort and marina destinations within Airlie Beach with The Mantra Boathouse retail experience becoming representative of the sought after tropical maritime lifestyle the Whitsundays region has on offer now, and into the future.

As a development of State significance, Port of Airlie is the first choice in el fresco dining and fashion; the place to experience the natural beauty and personality of the Whitsundays marina and boating scene in a resort style setting. Our customers are taken on a magical service journey as part of their Whitsundays experience.

As an investor or retailer at Port of Airlie, there are two main target markets to consider.

1. Local population, local and regional residents

2. Domestic and international tourists and visitors to the Region

SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS 1

Port of Airlie is positioned to help drive economic development in the Whitsunday Region, providing new business and employment opportunities.

KEY MESSAGES FOR TARGET MARKETS• Airlie Beach has recently undergone an extensive revitalisation of its Town Centre,

including investment in major infrastructure and retail environments.

• Port of Airlie has also completed the development of major infrastructure, providing for the extension of the Airlie Beach Town Centre to include a world class residential, resort, retail and marina precinct.

• The Boathouse at Port of Airlie provides a quality resort style offering, enhanced by its marina waterfront fashion and dining experience, a destination for our residents and guests to dine, shop, relax and enjoy.

• Port of Airlie has seen the completion of an additional 100 recreational berths and a Maritime Terminal to its Marina and over the past 18 months following the commence-ment of marina operations.

• The opening of the Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal at Port of Airlie in late 2014 coincides with significant investment enhancing their well-established fleet.

• Cruise Whitsundays connects Port of Airlie and Airlie Beach directly from the mainland to the Whitsunday Islands, offering a number of day cruises which include to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach.

• Port of Airlie together with Hamilton Island Marina and Abell Point Marina has created significant infrastructure, reinforcing the Whitsundays position as a renowned international tourism icon that continues to attract the serious sailing and boating community.

• Airlie Beach has enhanced its appeal with the completion of more recent projects including Peppers Airlie Beach, Woolworths and upgrade to Abell Point Marina.

• Ongoing expansion and improvements to Hamilton Island, One & Only Hayman Island, with major investment earmarked for Daydream Island and Lindeman Island, all contributing to the growing profile of the Whitsundays.

• Airlie Beach has seen an increase in tourism activity at 20% per annum over the past 3 years with tourism figures and visitation statistics on the rise.


REGIONAL SNAPSHOTThe Whitsunday Region is home to approximately 35,500^ permanent residents and is expected to increase from 33,070 to potentially more than 55,000 by 2036*. Due to the strength of the local economy, the Region’s population is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3 per cent over the next 20 years, which exceeds the State average of 1.8 per cent.

With direct access to the Great Barrier Reef the Whitsunday Region welcomes over 750,000^ tourists and visitors from both Australia and abroad each year. With the accommodation and food services sector employing close to 15%^ of the local workforce, the tourism industry is the Region’s largest employer.

The Region is sustained by four major industries including:

- Agriculture, horticulture

- Marine

- Manufacturing / Mining

- Tourism

^ SOURCE: Whitsunday Regional Council Corporate Plan, 2014-2019


The Whitsunday Region also boasts direct flights daily from: • Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne (to Hamilton Island)• Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne (to Proserpine Airport).

Guests arriving on flights arriving/departing from Hamilton Island Airport are offered a direct water transfer to Port of Airlie via Cruise Whitsundays Maritime Terminal.

Flights arriving/departing from Proserpine Airport offer direct access to Port of Airlie via the Heart of the Reef Bus Station and taxi rank on site.

As an indication of tourism health, figures to and from the Proserpine Airport have shown 31% growth of airport passengers number over the past four FYs [consistent growth over the past 3 financial years], with the forecast for FY 14/15 also showing a projected increase.

• 11/12 FY, 216 000 ^• 12/13 FY, 235 000 (9% increase) ^• 13/14FY, 244 000 (4% increase) ^• 14/15FY, ^ 282 500 passengers with 16.7% growth.• Half year of 15/16FY, 187 000 passengers

For the 2015 Calendar year the airport has surpassed 300 000 passengers for the first time, 321 373, 21.5% increase on 2014 CY, 264 505 and 31.18% increase on 2013 CY, 232 568.

The Federal Government’s Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and Regional Economics statistics for nation’s Airports, Y/E 15, the Whitsunday Coast Airport has recorded the strongest growth of any regional airport in country, equating to a 20.7% increase in passengers over the 12 month period.#

The end of financial year forecast for the airport include at its lowest, 337 000 through to the highest estimate, potentially, 397 000 passengers.#

Key airport statistics as at 29 March 2016 include:

• Majority of the year has maintained in excess of 30 000 passengers per month

• October continues to be the strongest performing month of the year

• February continues to grow from the worst performing month to an average month due to the popularity of Chinese New Year

• Passenger numbers year to date 245 793• Available seats year to date 296 124• Overall airport seat factor year to date 83%

The Whitsunday Regional Council is considering further extending the Whitsunday Coast Airport in the near future to accommodate increased domestic and international services. *Less than 250m of runway extension will allow for inbound and outbound International traffic within a 6500km radius of PPP which would encompass SW Pacific, NE Asia, and SE Asia. This extension would allow Whitsunday Coast Airport to provide the same (if not greater) capabilities as the Gold Coast Airport. The land availability and pre-existing and planned regional infrastructure would accommodate the creation of a multi-modal transport and logistics hub on Airport land encompassing Road, Rail, and Air. This would enable us to build International Cargo and freight distribution capabilities including the export of fresh produce/ seafood out of the region via air transport.


ACCESS TO THE REGION

# Source: Australian Government, Department of Regional Infrastructure & Regional Development, Annual Report Statistical Report, Domestic Aviation Activity, Annual Report 2015 ~ Source: Advisory - Whitsunday Coast Airport Passenger Numbers Update as supplied by the Whitsunday Regional Council * Source: https://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/DocumentCenter/View/887 ^ Source: Figures provided by Whitsunday Regional Council Source: 2015-16 Budget, http://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/DocumentCenter/View/1359 ^ Source: Figures provided by Whitsunday Regional Council Source: Whitsunday Regional Council Annual Report 2014-15

TRAFFIC TO PORT OF AIRLIECruise Whitsundays carry over 630 000^ passengers per year across a variety of tourism and transport services.

This figure includes 412 000^ transfers to and from Hamilton Island Airport and to and from other island resorts. These transfers were previously routed through Shute Harbour and Abell Point Marina.

Cruise Whitsundays offers over 50 arrivals and departures, 365 days a year, delivering a constant flow of traffic including tourists, contractors and off-island staff travelling via Port of Airlie from 6.30am until 6.30pm every day.

Airlie Beach has established itself as a regular anchorage for cruise ships making their way up the Queensland Coast, with approximately 70 cruise ships per annum visiting the seaside town. On average, a cruise ship guest will spend approximately more than 60% more than a normal tourist. With the new Cruise Whitsundays Maritime terminal now operating, a number of guests off these ships are now travelling to the mainland through this facility. This provides Port of Airlie retailers an opportunity for direct contact with these potential customers as soon as they set foot on the mainland.

^Source: Figures provided by Cruise Whitsundays

Cruise Whitsundays offers over 50 arrivals and departures, 365 days a year delivering a constant flow of traffic including tourists and contractors...


• The population is expected to increase from 33,070 to potentially more than 55,000 by 2036 *

• By 2036 an additional 9,000 jobs are required to support the expected population growth*

• Median age: 37.3*

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population: 4.2%*

• Number of families: 7,720*

• Average children per family: 2.8*

• Main employing industry – Accommodation and food services 14.8%*

• Average people per household: 2.4*

• Average wage & salary income: $45,139*

• Median monthly mortgage repayments: $1,899*

• Median monthly rent: $1308*

• Size of Whitsunday Region: 23,862.7 km2*

• Gross Regional Product 2011/12: $2,204,355 million^

SOURCE: *Data from Census 2011 https://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/documentcenter/view/1982^Latest REMPLAN data incorporating Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) June 2014 Gross State Product, 2012 / 2013 National Input Output Tables and 2011 Census Place of Work Employment

• Busiest air routes:

- Melbourne – Sydney / 8.61 million

- Brisbane – Sydney / 4.48 million

- Brisbane – Melbourne / 3.35 million

- Brisbane – Proserpine / [235,300] 238,500 passengers per annum #

- Sydney – Hamilton Island / [200,400] 229,100 passengers per annum #

- Brisbane – Hamilton Island / [155,500] 131,800 passengers per annum #

SOURCE: ^ Whitsunday Regional Council Corporate Plan, 2014-2019* Data from Census 2011. # Data current as at 2014

ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC REGIONAL STATISTICS - SUMMARY


• Tourists travelling to the Region at year end September 2015 were recorded at 620 000 visitors and 482,000 holiday makers.

• Domestically, this included 411 000 overnight domestic visitors, staying for a total of 2 229 000 room nights.

• Internationally, this included 209 000 visitors, up 9000 from the previous period, staying for a total of 1 468 000 room nights.

• Domestic visitation to the Whitsundays accounts for two-thirds of total overnight travel to the region, with a fairly even split of these travellers being from both Queensland and interstate (55% v 45% respectively). The Whitsundays has a lower proportion of domestic visitors compared to other Queensland regions, which emphasises the appeal of The Whitsundays region to international travellers.

• Whilst less domestic travellers visited the region in the past year, those that did stayed longer (an additional night on average). It was this loss of volume however, that caused a 7.8% decline in domestic overnight spend over the same period, to $508 million.

• Interstate holiday visitors to the Whitsundays increased 5% from holiday visitors from New South Wales. Interstate visitors made up 45.5% of all domestic visitors to the region - and 62.9% of domestic visitor nights.

• Travel to the Whitsundays by international visitors increased 5% in the year to September 2015, driven by growth in the international holiday sector. Holiday visitors held a 95.9% share of all international visitors to the Whitsundays region.

• The largest source market to the region was the United Kingdom (UK), which increased 5.9% in the year to September 2015. This result gave the UK a 23.4% share of all international visitors to the Whitsundays.

• International overnight visitor expenditure increased in the year the September 2015, off the back of an increase in international visitor numbers and nights spent in the region. Approximately a quarter of all overnight expenditure in the region attributed to the international market.

SOURCE: Tourism and Events Queensland, Whitsundays Regional Snapshot, Year Ending September 2015

TOURISM STATS (Year ending September 2015)


For the Port of Airlie retailer this indicates consistent growth in tourism numbers and a positive effect on related sectors servicing the industry. The largest markets of visitors to the Region are within close geographic proximity, within a 1.5 to 3 hour drive to Airlie Beach and daily direct flights Brisbane.

As a large portion of the traffic arriving to and from the Region travels via the Cruise Whitsundays Maritime and Transit Terminals, this ensures the Port of Airlie retailer’s business is in pole position to capture visitor attention.

TOURISM RETAIL


‘Whitsunday Regional Council has identified that the commencement of several major projects planned or under construction, the Whitsunday Region is set to experience growth over the coming years. Our strong economy, well-planned infrastructure and desirable lifestyle make the Whitsunday Region an inviting investment environment. A robust capital works program will be delivered in FY 2-15-16 which will see $28.4 million spent on infrastructure across the region, not to mention the $2 billion of tourism projects which have been completed are underway or planned. This will further complement the recent infrastructure investment of $100M in the immediate Airlie Beach area in the previous four years.

These projects include ($ millions*):

The Whitsunday Shire Council is currently undertaking a planning scheme review, with a clear focus on attracting new property investment and development in the Region to best capture the opportunities offered.

Whitsunday Regional Council is committed to attracting new business and investment to the Region and fostering economic development. The proposed planning scheme review includes an extension to the current airport at Proserpine being a new terminal, increased the length of the runway and development of associated business centre to support this expanded infrastructure.

Council partners with local and regional tourism and economic development organisations to:• Promote the Whitsunday Region and facilitate destination-marketing

campaigns;• Deliver small business training workshops;• Engage with industry stakeholders to develop investment attraction

initiatives; and• Attract business and tourism events to the Region.• With investment comes construction, which brings employment

The Whitsunday Region is an ideal location to invest or establish a business. Currently home to over 3,500 small businesses our Region supplies goods and services to local, domestic and international markets. In addition to emerging business opportunities across retail, events, transport, aged care and service industries; the Region’s existing agriculture, manufacturing, marine and tourism sectors offer ample investment opportunities.

INVESTING IN THE WHITSUNDAY REGION

Roads / Bridges $1035.7Rail $121Ports $6740Water Sewerage $1186.96Electricity $254.80Oil & Gas $3000Coal $56666Commercial $2425.91Residential $686.1

Over $100 million in infrastructure investment has occurred in the immediate Airlie Beach area in the past 4 years.*

* SOURCE: Whitsunday Development Register, as at March 2015^ SOURCE: Courier Mail

SOURCE: Whitsunday Regional Council Budget 14-15 (Updated version for 2015-16: Whitsunday Regional Council Budget 15-16 )



ECONOMYThe following is an extract from the Whitsunday Shire Council Budget 14-15.

‘The future economic prosperity of the Whitsunday Region lies in its competitive advantages, including its close proximity to the Bowen and Galilee Basins, the availability of residential and industrial land, the diversity of the industries within the area and the strong quality of lifestyle enjoyed by local residents and families.

As one of the largest fruit and vegetable growing Regions in the nation, the Region contributes an estimated $400 million to the $9 billion Australian horticulture sector. The local industry supports 13 major crop varieties, including tomatoes, capsicum, beans and corn, and produces over 250,000 tonnes per annum. Sugar cane is also a significant crop, with over 20,000 hectares being harvested each year. Around 1.5 million tonnes of cane is processed at the Proserpine Sugar Mill per annum.

The Port of Abbot Point and Abbot Point State Development Area (SDA) are both of critical importance to the Region’s continued economic development. Comprising rail in-loading facilities, coal handling and stockpiling areas and two offshore berths and ship loaders; the Port of Abbot Point is one of Australia’s most significant emerging bulk ports. The Abbott Point SDA is a 16,320-hectare site dedicated to industrial development, and its easy access to rail and roads and close proximity to the Port of Abbot Point, will allow for large-scale growth in our manufacturing and transport industries. This is subject to Queensland State Government approvals and financing for the project is yet to be announced.

As the main southern point of access to the Great Barrier Reef and the attraction of the Whitsunday Islands, major resorts and boating activity, the Whitsunday Region welcomes over 700,000 tourists and visitors from both Australia and abroad each year.

^With the accommodation and food services sector employing close to 15 per cent of the local workforce, the tourism industry is the Region’s largest employer.’

SOURCE: Whitsunday Regional Council Budget 14-15^Whitsunday Regional Council Budget 15-16Whitsunday Marketing & Development, Gross Regional Product Report 2016

Port of Airlie as a “project of state significance” is a major contributor to economic development in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. Investment in the Region is forecast to continue along with an estimated $400 million to develop the Port of Airlie to its full capacity as a contemporary marina, retail, residential, resort and transport precinct.

FUTURE


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