Whitsunday aquaculture development area

Read the Whitsunday aquaculture development area (ADA) overview. This location is suitable for Queensland northern fish species and prawns.

Location snapshot

Potential creek access (Splitters, Plain Creeks) or beach access for intake/discharge, or combination

Marine prawns (black tiger and banana prawns)
Barramundi
Marine finfish (e.g. tropical groper and cod, cobia, threadfin, snapper, mullet species)

Approximately 30km north of Bowen CBD (85km north of Whitsunday Coast airport).
Next to Bruce Highway (major highway) and North Coast railway line.
Located near existing approved barramundi farm.
Minor issues accessing water at Splitters Creek to the north‑east through matters of state environmental significance (includes Abbott Bay Resources Reserve, although this can be avoided to access seawater).
Seawater access possible in Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park general use and habitat protection zones (preference for minimal aquaculture structures in habitat protection zones).
Surrounding regulated vegetation seaward of site (category B—remnant vegetation).
Site located within coastal management district—any coastal hazard risks may need to be mitigated.
Site may be subject to periodic stormwater flows—any flood hazards may need to be reviewed and mitigated.