The government in the Australian state of Queensland has given its approval to plans to build a huge Great Barrier Reef resort in the area.

If the promoters are able to get an approval from the federal government, it would become one of the largest tourism developments in the country down under. Tower Holdings is planning to invest about

$600 million to develop the Great Keppel Island resort on the island off Rockhampton in central Queensland. The company is planning to build a hotel, hundreds of villas, dozens of apartments, a large marina and a golf course.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney pointed out that the developers will have to comply with all the conditions relating to the possible environmental impacts of the project. He said that the all such impacts are covered under the 38 pages of conditions that will be enforced upon the project. He also said that the decision to approve the project is a major step towards developing the new eco-tourism sector.

Mr Seeney also said that the project would create hundreds of jobs during its construction and about 1000 people will permanently work at the repost after it becomes operational. The developers have said that they will use just 3.5 per cent of the island for infrastructure.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council has said that the tourism industry has been anticipating for the project for a long time.