SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS - Port of Airlie · As a retailer at Port of Airlie, there are two main target markets to consider. 1. Local population, local and regional residents

SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS

RESEARCH PAPER APRIL 2015

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

DISCLAIMERAlthough 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 whatsoever 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 accounting, 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

VISIONToday and in the future, Port of Airlie represents the leading maritime retail precinct in Airlie Beach, Whitsundays. As one of the premium residential, resort and marina destinations in the Whitsunday Islands, The Boathouse retail experience is representative of this sought after tropical maritime lifestyle.

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 a 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 in the past 18 months with tourism figures and visitation statistics on the rise.


REGIONAL SNAPSHOT• The Whitsunday Region is home to

approximately 35,500^ permanent residents. 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 700,000^ 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


ACCESS TO THE REGION• As an indication of tourism health, figures to and from the

Proserpine Airport have shown 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, 270 000 - 280 000 *Forecast (14% increase) ^

• The 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.

• The Whitsunday Regional Council is considering further extending the Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine to accommodate increased domestic and international services.

^Source: Figures provided by Whitsunday Regional Council


TRAFFIC TO PORT OF AIRLIE• Cruise Whitsundays carry over 600 000^ passengers per year across a

variety of tourism and transport services.

• This figure includes 400 000^ 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 7pm 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 Whitsunday Region is home to approximately 35,500 permanent residents.

• Due to the strength of the local economy, the Region’s population is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3% over the next 20 years, which exceeds the State average of 1.8%

• 38% of the local population are under 45 years of age with children

• 34% earn an income of over $100 000

• 42% of people have migrated to the Region from elsewhere in Australia

• Projected population in 2031: 44,000 #

• Median age: 38*

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population: 4.2%*

• Number of families: 7,720*

• Average children per family: 1.8*

• All private dwellings: 15,840*

• Average people per household: 2.4*

• Median weekly household income: $1,165*

• Median weekly mortgage repayments: $442*

• Median weekly rent: $260*

• Average motor vehicles per dwelling: 1.8*

• Size of Whitsunday Region: 23,862.7 km2

• Proposed local mining projects: 9 #

• $30.5 billion in proposed projects in the Region #

• Gross Regional Product 2011/12: $2,264 million

• Busiest air routes:

• Brisbane – Proserpine/ 235,300 passengers per annum #

• Sydney – Hamilton Island/ 200,400 passengers per annum #

• Brisbane – Hamilton Island/ 155,500 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

Forecast growth for the Whitsunday Region will ensure the Port of Airlie retailer has a growing customer base from the local community before tourism is factored in.


• Tourists travelling to the Region at year end September 2014 were recorded at 673,000 visitors and 516,000 holiday makers, with a total expenditure of $682.5 million

• Domestically, this included 474,000 overnight domestic visitors, 325, 000 holiday makers

• Internationally, this included 199,000 international visitors

• Domestic visitation to the Whitsundays decreased 3.5% in the year to September 2014, the result of declines from smaller sectors such as those visiting friends and relatives (VFR) and business travel

• Domestic overnight holiday travel increased 6.9% in the last year

• The number of holiday nights spent in the Whitsundays increased 12.3% to 1.5 million, meaning that more domestic holidaymakers to the Whitsundays are also opting for longer stays (4.5 nights on average)

• Queensland residents remain the largest market for the Whitsunday Region, with 60% of all domestic visitors being intrastate travellers

• The top three intrastate markets were Mackay, Brisbane and Townsville

• The interstate market increased 2.2% to 188,000 visitors in the year to September 2014, driven by growth from Sydney

• International visitation to the Whitsundays increased by 8% in the year to September 2014, driven by growth in the interna-tional holiday sector

• International expenditure increased 7% to $132.1 million in the last year, the result of higher yielding international holidaymaker

• Forward projections will need to consider increased overseas tourism due to depreciation of the Australian dollar during 2014/15

SOURCE: Whitsundays Regional Snapshot, Year Ending September 2014

TOURISM STATS (Year ending September 2014)


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 STATS (Year ending September 2014)


‘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.

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 op-portunities 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 associ-ated 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 attrac-tion 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.

SOURCE: Whitsunday Regional Council Budget 14-15

INVESTING IN THE WHITSUNDAY REGION

Agribusiness $60Aviation $30Construction $28Energy $1,500Marine $252Mine $2,760Port $12,530Rail $13,170Roads $88Tourism $235Water $150

Total $30 803

Over $100 million in infrastructure investment has occurred in the immediate Airlie Beach area in the past 3 years.*

* SOURCE: Whitsunday Development Register, Spring Quarter 2014



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 han-dling 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.

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 accommo-dation 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

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.

OUR FUTURE

WELCOME TO PORT OF AIRLIE


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SUMMARY OF REGIONAL STATISTICS - Port of Airlie · As a retailer at Port of Airlie, there are two main target markets to consider. 1. Local population, local and regional residents