Resort talks a step in right direction for CQ region

YEPPOON'S Sarah Vycke said the one thing that stood out for her, when visiting the region 15 years ago in a campervan, was the Capricorn Resort.

Now owner of Crave Surf Industries in Yeppoon Central, the business woman said the resort's facilities and availability had gone downhill.

"We used to go out there quite a bit over the years, but the facilities weren't up to standard and we never knew if parts of it were open or closed," she said.

With news resort owner and manager Iwasaki Sangyo's is meeting with Minister for State Development Anthony Lynham to talk the plans over, Sarah thought that was a step in the right direction.

"When I heard it was partly closing down I thought it was a positive step to see something actually happening after years of talk," she said.

"Obviously it (the redevelopment) would mean a lot more tourists staying longer and spending money and supporting local businesses. Whenever there is a wedding on or sporting event out there we would get a lot of people coming through our doors."

Sarah recently sold Ripcurl in James St, which had also benefited from guests at the resort.

Planned with a 20-year vision, the proposed $600M redevelopment was put forward to the State Government in 2010 but, five years later, Mayor Bill Ludwig said he was still confident the proposal has a bright future.

The Northern Queensland Economic Summit in Cairns in November marks the next step in Mr Iwasaki's redevelopment plan.