Livingstone Shire Council

Parade (Yeppoon’s main beach). Lud- wig explains: “The first Christmas immediately af- ter Cyclone Marcia, we were able to open the Kraken, which has been great for tourism and the community. Especially since it was only 10 months after the cyclone hit. “To have that, and to have won two major awards for landscaping excel- lence, to be able to then complete construction of the car park, and on track to be hopefully completing stage 5 soon, is a real economic uplift with all the jobs we’re creating, and a huge confidence booster for the tourism in- dustry.” The project has cost a whopping $53 million but is already proving prosper- ous with things like a 20% increase in overnight tourism and $75 million in private sector investment attesting to his. Other projects In line with Ludwig’s passionate in- volvement with district growth, there are a number of other projects hap- pening throughout the Shire: E mu P ark F oreshore and T own C entre R evitalisation This project is something of national significance and includes a reflective memorial boardwalk, a gateway and orientation gallery. It recounts, pre- serve and honours the history of Aus- tralia’s war heritage, and those who created it through service and sacri- fice, providing a lasting legacy. Ludwig explains that the project ac- tually started out without any budget. It began with a concept plan, and the council got a design team to work with the community and local artists to help in the design. Funding was successful- ly secured afterward: “We opened this one week in advance of Anzac Day. It was ready and opera- tional for the community for these sig- nificant 100 year celebrations,” T he G ateway The Gateway is a property develop- ment initiative – and specifically a busi- ness park - to support industry and en- courage economic development. It is is a 56 hectares, and located conven- iently (and strategically) on the main corridor between the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton, giving business and industry investors access to relia- ble trunk infrastructure. S tatue B ay A part of the ‘Capricorn Coast unique Tourist drive’, Statue Bay connects Yep- poon to Emu Park via the Scenic High- way. With the effects of Cyclone Marcia alongside the significant landslides and rock falls the area faces, reconstruc- tion and slope stabilisation are being carried out. There will also be extensive