Environmental Management of the Proposed Floating Hotel at John Brewer Reef

Abstract

Tourism in the Great Barrier Reef Region has traditionally been dominated by three sectors – island resorts, charter boats and day trip operations. In recent years, these sectors have responded to increasing demands for Reef-based recreational opportunities by introducing new services and facilities such as semi-submersible coral viewing vessels. The advent of high speed catamarans, capable of carrying large numbers of people quickly and comparatively cheaply has been a catalyst for much of this subsequent development.Proposals have now emerged for the development of major accommodation facilities stationed on the Reef proper. The largest of these proposals to date is the Four Seasons Great Barrier Reef floating hotel which is a hybrid structure, adapted from the Consafe ‘Coastel’ design. It is proposed that the floating hotel will be moored in the lagoon of John Brewer Reef, offshore from Townsville, and will be capable of accommodating some 450 persons overnight (including 100 staff), and up to 200 day ...