Feb 082014
 

Original story by Robert Harley at The Australian Financial Review

A Polish group, Deep Ocean Technology, wants to place an underwater hotel ion the Great Barrier Reef.

DOT says its prototype underwater hotel, the Water Discus, is non-invasive and would not harm the Queensland environment.

DOT says its prototype underwater hotel, the Water Discus, is non-invasive and would not harm the Queensland environment.

DOT’s prototype, the Water Discus, provides for 22 underwater cabins linked by a communications shaft to above -water facilities and anchored to the sea bed with five structural legs.

The towable hotel includes 22 cabins and could be built for between $45 and $60 million.

The towable hotel includes 22 cabins and could be built for between $45 and $60 million.

It can be built in a shipyard and towed into place for $45-$60 million.

The cabins are submerged 10 metres to catch the light and the best of the underwater activity, as well as retaining the same atmosphere as on the surface.

DOT’s local representative, Maximillian Zielinski told the Polish-Australian Marine Conference in Sydney on Friday that Queensland offered exciting opportunities to partner on integrated tourism and casino projects.

A spokesman for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said such a proposal would be assessed under the Act and, if it had a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance would require the approval of the federal Environment Minister.

Mr Zielinski said the design of the Water Discus was non-invasive. “We have been researching very promising techniques of rebuilding the reef, where the Water Discus would be an integral part of the endeavour,” he said.

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