Project Overview

Introduction

Over the past 3 decades, the Gladstone and Calliope region in central Queensland has become the State’s major mineral processing and shipping centre, and now the region is at the beginning of another major growth phase.

There are over 4,000 non-agricultural businesses in the Gladstone region, and this number is expected to increase in line with the projected population growth and major project developments proposed for the area.

A number of existing industries in the region have already completed expansion of their plants, and more major developments are on the agenda. Industries already operating in the region include Queensland Alumina Limited, Boyne Smelters Limited, Queensland Cement Limited, Orica, Ticor, Gladstone Power Station (NRG), and Stuart Demonstration Shale Oil Plant.

There have been major investments by the infrastructure providers in the region such as the raising of the Awoonga Dam, and the expansion of the Reg Tanna Coal Terminal.

However, it is the announcements by several major companies of their proposals to develop heavy industry in the Gladstone region that has heralded a forthcoming period of enhanced and steady growth. Although Gladstone has the traditional agriculture and primary industry based industries and an emerging tourism sector, it is the major mineral processing and chemical industries that have re-shaped the nature and structure of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

The Minister for State Development, the Hon. Tom Barton, has stated that the Queensland Government continues to ensure the Gladstone region represents an attractive option for such projects. "If all the major projects proposed for the region proceed, they would create an estimated 9,000 direct and indirect jobs at the peak construction phase and countless business opportunities in the region", Mr Barton said (Queensland Business Magazine, July edition, 2002).

It is against this background and the resultant shortage of quality hotel/motel accommodation in Gladstone that Harbour View Developments Pty Ltd will be building Harbour View Tower.