Community
1 July, 2024
Bright outlook despite decay
THE future of Double Island off Palm Cove is looking much brighter after the Queensland Government reclaimed its lease and moves are underway to secure a new lease and operator.
Tourism Minister Michael Healy and Barron River MP Craig Crawford lobbied on behalf of locals for the island leaseholder Hong Kong businessman Benny Wu to be stripped of his lease after the former luxury resort shut down more than six years ago.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said after years of failed efforts to negotiate with the leaseholder to rebuild the decrepit five-star resort and re-open the island to visitors he took the case to the Land Court.
Mr Stewart said, as of last week, the lease was back in state hands and the Double Island tourism lease that Mr Wu’s Fortune Island Holdings Company paid $5.68m for in 2013 had been revoked.
In May, the Land Court ruled that the Double Island lease could be forfeited and the time for Mr Wu’s legal team to file an appeal against the ruling expired on Wednesday last week.
“The community and the local members want to see Double Island open, thriving, and available to use, as do I, which is why I took this action,” Mr Stewart said.
“I didn’t take this decision lightly and it follows a sustained attempt by the Department of Resources over time to work with the lessee.
“Community and site safety is our number one priority, and the department will now begin a more detailed assessment of the island’s infrastructure.”
Mr Healy said he wanted to see Double Island restored to its former glory and accessible to locals and visitors as soon as possible.
“Queensland’s island resorts are the jewels in the crown of our state’s tourism industry,” he said.
“We think it is only fair to expect resort operators to comply with their lease.”
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the result was “bloody brilliant”.
“Many in the community did not think this day would come, but I knew if we stuck to our guns, we would win,” he said.
“But don’t go to the island yet. Give us a chance to assess the risk, we need time to make it safe.”
Opposition resources spokesman Dale Last said the LNP would preserve Double Island as an eco-tourism asset for Queensland, if elected in October.
He said as part of its Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future Campaign, the LNP was committed to reopening Double Island and restoring its position as a gem in Queensland’s tourism crown.
