MAGNETIC ISLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) is a thriving community uniquely positioned within the World Heritage Listed area and Great Barrier Reef and provides a compelling proposition for visitors of today and tomorrow. In recent years, the Island has experienced unprecedented visitation, welcoming around 290,000 visitors annually and supporting approximately 25% of the region’s tourism jobs.

Townsville Enterprise, under the guidance and supervision of a steering committee representing community, industry, Traditional Owners and Government have recently released a draft Tourism Masterplan for Magnetic Island, with the final plan due for release in Quarter 1 2023.

The Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan is a blueprint designed to ensure visitor growth is managed to protect the natural environment and the world heritage values, and deliver a worldclass, best in Australia experience that aligns to the values and vision of the community, increases the economic return from tourism, and attracts private investment to the Island.

$1 million from State or Federal Government to Townsville Enterprise for destination marketing and to build the brand and profile of Magnetic Island under the unified vision.

$3.5 million from State or Federal Government to develop a visitor facing Magnetic Island Koala Hospital.

$2 million from State or Federal Government for the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. This competitive fund will support development of new tourism experience or provide funding for upgrades to existing infrastructure.

$3.84 million from State or Federal Government towards development of trails in line with the Magnetic Island Trails Vision .

Insurance and workforce policy (refer to page 30)

The Magnetic Island Tourism Masterplan identifies several projects and developments that support the Island to achieve this vision. The Island is Townsville North Queensland’s hero tourism experience and will play an important role in supporting the region’s ambitions for direct international flights to Singapore. With the Australia and Singapore Military Agreement in place, Townsville will see more than 14,000 Singaporean soldiers in the region each year for 25 years, providing an opportunity to promote holiday packages for the friends and relative’s market.

$89.7M ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OVER 10 YEARS

The Magnetic Island Koala Hospital was created for the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned koalas on Magnetic Island.

Magnetic Island is home to the largest wild koala population in Northern Australia. In 1935, 17 of these iconic animals were introduced to the Island to sustain the Australian population.

BACKGROUND:

The hospital was setup by Dr Ali Bee and her husband Tim in 2000. Dr Ali worked as a veterinarian on Magnetic Island and quickly found that many of the koalas who came to the vet clinic needed somewhere for longer term care.

Initially the koalas were cared for at the Bee home, but gradually enclosures were setup with the help of the Magnetic Island community and generous supporters.

A State Government grant allowed the building of a Koala Kindergarten and Clinic which opened in 2014.

In 2017, a larger enclosure was built from generous donations from local firm, Glencore and Rockmount Racing.

Isabelle Bee or Izzy as she is affectionately known, is the daughter of Ali and Tim. At only 15 years old, Izzy has dedicated her life to the conservation of koalas on Magnetic Island. In 2020, Izzy took Magnetic Island to the world with her Netflix series, Izzy’s Koala World. Izzy and her family’s dream is to develop a visitor facing Magnetic Island Koala Hospital.

Magnetic Island’s industry, community, Traditional Owners and Government stakeholders have come together to develop a shared vision: