The man behind the massive multi-billion dollar resort/casino complex plan for north Queensland says he would be open to working with partners based in Australia.

Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung is willing to listen to those with experience running casinos in Australia as he tries to get his huge nine hotel, 3750 room mega-build underway near Cairns.

The plan has been given its first stage of approval by the Queensland Government; it is set to include a casino and one of the world’s largest aquariums placed next to the natural splendour of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Fung’s plan is to draw away some of the burgeoning Chinese tourist market visiting Macau every year, the city has now become almost six times bigger than Las Vegas.

Fung says part of the appeal of the north Queensland location is the lack of negative connotations for visitors.

“I think it will be an easy sell for us. You see, if you go to Macau your colleagues think you are a gambler, if you go to Singapore they think you are a gambler... But if you say you are going to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, then you are still a family man,” Mr Fung said.