With the Mary River being one of its biggest assets, Tiaro Shire Council in the north of Queensland, is proposing the development of a freshwater aquarium. Still very much in its infancy, but nevertheless with the potential to grow into a major tourist attraction for the region, the proposal for the Mary River Freshwater Aquarium is expected to be a major economic boost to the region.
It is proposed that the project will be a partnership between Council and the Tiaro and District Landcare Group.
Tiaro Shire is located 260 kilometres north of Brisbane and has an economy based predominantly on primary production. It is less than an hour’s drive from popular Hervey Bay and Fraser Island.
“The location of the Shire and its proximity to the touring public, present the area with enormous potential for economic diversification,” said Council’s Economic Development Officer, Brian Arnold. “The primary attraction for the project will be a large interactive freshwater aquarium featuring the inhabitants of the Mary River ecosystem, which features four known threatened and endangered species.”
Council has also concluded that the aquarium will serve a number of major functions, which include an educational and research facility, as well as a land and water management centre. The site for the proposed project is a 27.6 hectare property located on the banks of the Mary River, adjacent to the existing Petrie Park, which is a Council owned recreational facility.
“The site is currently privately owned, however, available for sale,” Brian Arnold said.“We proposed that the initial development phase of the project will be funded via a collaborative approach between Local, State and Federal Governments and the private sector.”
Council has added that the project is particularly attractive in that it yields obvious triple bottom line outcomes that include the generation of employment and income within the Shire. It will engender strong understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the environment, and it will promote a sense of ‘pride of place’ within the community.
For further information, contact Brian Arnold on (07) 4129 2133.
