Support for our Life Support Systems
Support for our Life Support Systems We are very excited to confirm that Reef HQ Aquarium has received $2.6 million as part of the Government’s Relief and Recovery Fund to assist Great Barrier Reef tourism and the North Queensland regional economy. This is in addition to the funding received in December 2019. This new investment is for an upgrade and maintenance to the life support systems throughout the Aquarium that control the environments within the live exhibits and are crucial to the health and care of our animals. Systems that will be upgraded include those that assist with maintaining temperature, salinity, filtration and water quality. It will also provide energy security through back up power supply. This is a welcome investment in the North Queensland economy, tourism and educational services, providing immediate opportunities for the region. The original funding, of $26.9 million over four years was for an upgrade to the infrastructure at our 32 year old Aquarium, which included many of Reef HQ’s facilities, as well as the Turtle Hospital, predator tank and coral reef exhibit, the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Reef HQ Aquarium had a planned closure from February 2021 for up to 12 months to carry out the original works and anticipate the works associated with the additional funding can be completed at the same time. During the closure our precious animals and their life support systems will be maintained. Staff will be focused on maintaining education outreach through digital channels, planning for a grand re-opening and maintaining the animals and system during this time. Further information and updates will be available via our website and social media channels. To view the Minister’s media release, please click here. *Story first published in May 2022
Reef HQ Aquarium’s facelift
Reef HQ Aquarium’s facelift Reef HQ Aquarium has received $5 million for a facelift, as part of the Government’s COVID19 Relief and Recovery Fund to assist Great Barrier Reef tourism and the North Queensland regional economy. This funding will see a modern new façade, and a new admissions and foyer area. For many years, Reef HQ’s public ‘face’ has been the iconic spire that was the ‘Omnimax Theatre’, which is due to be demolished with the redevelopment of the adjacent site, the old Cultural Centre. A new façade will create a distinctive and clearly identifiable landmark for the Aquarium, and enhance street appeal and accessibility for the visitor. This money will include an upgrade to technology, such as self-serving kiosks and turnstiles, to enhance operating efficiency and improve the visitor service experience. These works will be scheduled to take place with the broader capital works, which are already being planned for when Reef HQ Aquarium closes temporarily from February 2021. The planned closure is to undertake works associated with the original funding, which includes upgrades to the Turtle Hospital, the predator tank, coral reef exhibit and back-of-house facilities. An extension of the planned 12-month closure may need to occur, to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors during construction. We will continue to engage with the community, through our social media channels and education outreach program during the closure. To stay connected to Reef HQ and the Great Barrier Reef follow our social pages and check the website for regular updates.
Reef HQ Aquarium secures additional Townsville City Deal funding of $40 Million
Reef HQ Aquarium secures additional Townsville City Deal funding of $40 million The Federal Government has today announced a $55 million investment in two key projects as part of the transformational Townsville City Deal. The investment will help revitalise two iconic organisations in North Queensland. A $40 million funding boost will help transform Reef HQ – the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium – into Australia’s national centre of excellence for tropical coral reef education, making it a premium international tourism destination as COVID-19 restrictions ease. This funding is in addition to the $40.1 million already provided to Reef HQ by the Government since 2019 to upgrade the facility and help boost Great Barrier Reef tourism. The upgrade will provide visitors with a range of immersive experiences and revitalised exhibits, including educational activities, hands-on experiences, onsite diving programs, scientific demonstrations and the use of interactive technology. The redevelopment of Reef HQ will also contribute to the revitalisation of the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area, which is one of the key objectives of the City Deal. The Morrison Government is also providing a $15 million funding boost to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), matched by a $15 million commitment from the Queensland Government, to expand its Townsville facilities to provide important medical services across the North Queensland region. The two projects will ensure the Commonwealth’s original $195 million commitment to the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 remains in Townsville, following the Queensland Government’s decision to sole-fund this project and deliver it outside the Townsville City Deal. The Townsville City Deal is a 15 year agreement to the value of $986.1 million. Signed in 2016 by Deal Partners – the Australian and Queensland governments and Townsville City Council – the City Deal sets out a comprehensive plan to grow the economy of Townsville by supporting the city to be, by 2030: The economic gateway to Asia and Northern Australia. A prosperous and lifestyle-rich city for its community and visitors. A global leader in tropical and marine research and innovation. The City Deal is transforming the Townsville region, creating sustainable jobs and attracting more investment for Townsville through infrastructure and planning projects that drive private sector investment, support existing and emerging economies, and boost local and Indigenous employment opportunities. Projects include the delivery of new transit, sporting facilities that enhance amenity and make Townsville a lifestyle-rich city for residents and visitors alike. The Federal Government has today announced a $55 million investment in two key projects as part of the transformational Townsville City Deal. The investment will help revitalise two iconic organisations in North Queensland. A $40 million funding boost will help transform Reef HQ – the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium – into Australia’s national centre of excellence for tropical coral reef education, making it a premium international tourism destination as COVID-19 restrictions ease. This funding is in addition to the $40.1 million already provided to Reef HQ by the Government since 2019 to upgrade the facility and help boost Great Barrier Reef tourism. The upgrade will provide visitors with a range of immersive experiences and revitalised exhibits, including educational activities, hands-on experiences, onsite diving programs, scientific demonstrations and the use of interactive technology. The redevelopment of Reef HQ will also contribute to the revitalisation of the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area, which is one of the key objectives of the City Deal. The Morrison Government is also providing a $15 million funding boost to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), matched by a $15 million commitment from the Queensland Government, to expand its Townsville facilities to provide important medical services across the North Queensland region. The two projects will ensure the Commonwealth’s original $195 million commitment to the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 remains in Townsville, following the Queensland Government’s decision to sole-fund this project and deliver it outside the Townsville City Deal. *Story first published in July 2021.
Reef HQ Aquarium completes the picture
Reef HQ Aquarium completes the picture The announcement in last night’s Federal Budget, for $5.6 million over 3 years to upgrade exhibits, completes funding for a suite of upgrades to Reef HQ Aquarium, which are planned to commence in 2021. The funding will enrich the experiences visitors can have at the Aquarium and National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef and their knowledge and understanding of the Reef through the revitalization of exhibits to include hands on experiences, scientific demonstrations and modernization of interactive technology. These improvements to exhibits, educational content and technology will refresh the visitor experience. As part of the exhibit revitalization, Reef HQ will undergo a consultation process with Reef Traditional Owners and co-design a Connection of Sea Country exhibition, whole of aquarium theme and education programs that will lead to a better understanding, protection and promotion of Indigenous heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef. Part of the funding also supports a communications and marketing strategy to promote the new and improved Reef HQ Aquarium, to help drive tourism to Townsville and the North Queensland region upon reopening. We anticipate this investment will strengthen Townsville’s identity as an epicenter of marine science education and will ensure Reef HQ as the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef remains a world leader in marine science education and edutourism. Funding Summary: The latest announcement brings the total Australian Government investment since 2019 to $40.1 million. The original funding of $26.9 million was for capital works that relate to demolition, replacement and upgrade to ageing infrastructure at our 33-year-old facility. The aggressive tropical environment and stress that has resulted from holding in excess of 4 million litres of salt water, have impacted the facility since its build. Some of the works include upgrades to the coral reef exhibit, the predator tank, Turtle Hospital and back-of-house areas. As part of the Government’s COVID19 Relief and Recovery Fund to assist Great Barrier Reef tourism and the North Queensland regional economy, we received $2.6 million for the upgrade and maintenance to the animal life support systems. These systems control the environments within the live exhibits and are crucial to the health and care of our animals. Systems that will be upgraded include those that assist with maintaining temperature, salinity, filtration and water quality. It will also provide energy security through back up power supply. Last week’s funding boost of $5million from the COVID19 Relief and Recovery Fund, will see a modern new facade, and a new admissions and foyer area to enhance visitor accessibility at the Aquarium. Lastly, $5.6 million for upgrades to exhibits, to refresh the visitor experience. The redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium is a keystone project within Townsville’s Waterfront Priority Development Area and supports the Townsville 2020 vision to create world-class experiences to drive economic growth through new investment and greater tourism spending. Reef HQ Aquarium will continue to engage with the community, through our social media channels and education outreach program during the closure. To stay connected to Reef HQ and the Great Barrier Reef follow our social pages and check the website for regular updates.
Christmas comes early to Reef HQ Aquarium
Christmas comes early to Reef HQ Aquarium We are very excited to confirm that Reef HQ Aquarium has received $26.9 million in the Government’s mid-cycle economic and fiscal outlook budget review. This funding provides us with the opportunity to upgrade infrastructure at our 32 year old facility, which is still home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Many of our back of house facilities will be upgraded, along with the coral reef exhibit and predator tank windows, the heritage wreck in the predator tank and the turtle hospital. Works will be planned over four financial years, during which the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, who manages Reef HQ Aquarium, will assess whether works can occur without closure; however, a short-term closure of the facility at some point may be required to ensure the safety of staff and visitors during construction. Even if Reef HQ Aquarium closes for a short period of time, our precious animals and their life support systems will be maintained. Staff will of course be focused on planning for a grand re-opening and maintaining the animals and system during this time. Further information will be available in the new year via our website and social media channels, once more detailed planning has occurred. For our members, there will be no impact to current Reef HQ memberships and their expiry date. For voucher agents and tourism stakeholders, we will be in contact about agreements and any current bookings this may affect. *Story first published in December 2019.
2020-21 Financial year achievements
2020 – 21 Financial Year Achievements Reef HQ Aquarium had a number of sea changes the last financial year; from reopening under COVID restrictions, to closing for refurbishments. Here are a few of our achievements over the 2020-21 financial year. *Story first published in August 2021.
