Latest news with #islandresorts
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Australia's ghosted islands, resorts abandoned and under siege
A shocking tale of neglect and abandoned opportunities is unfolding in one of Australia's most cherished regions as a dozen once-thriving island resorts lie in ruins. Critics warn the derelict properties are a blight on the pristine beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, left to decay by absentee owners who have turned their backs on resorts that were once jewels of the tourism industry. From cyclone-ravaged Double Island, once held by billionaire Benny Wu and now under state control, to the ghostly remains of Hinchinbrook Island Resort, these islands are a haunting reminder of what could have been. The Queensland government, under Premier David Crisafulli, is cracking down – issuing ultimatums to negligent owners to either revive their properties or face losing their leases. The economic impact is undeniable, with a government inquiry into island resorts warning such long-abandoned sites represent a colossal missed opportunity for the economy and the tourism industry. Pressure is building with the world spotlight set to focus on the region in a little over a handful of years when the Olympics are hosted in the state. MORE: Cash-strap student turns $40k to 38 homes Govt pays $3.3m for unliveable derelict house Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler expressed her dismay: 'It's disappointing to see so many of Queensland's island resorts closed. Island tourism put Queensland on the map decades ago, and whether or not visitors choose to stay on an island, these destinations remain critical to positioning Queensland as a leading holiday destination.' She said the need for investment was dire. 'Reinvigorating island resorts will require significant investment, particularly in infrastructure including transport to ensure accessibility, along with a reduction in red tape.' 'The industry that we represent tells us that streamlining operational and approval processes is essential to the long-term success of the state's island resorts.' But there's a glimmer of hope. New investors, like Annie Cannon-Brookes - wife of billionaire co-founder of Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes - who bought the beleaguered Dunk Island – are being heralded as offering a chance to breathe new life back into forgotten paradises. Ms Wheeler said there are strong examples of success to draw from. 'Hamilton Island, InterContinental Hayman Island, and Daydream Island in the Whitsundays continue to perform well thanks to major investment, strong brand presence, and reliable access.' 'In Central Queensland, Heron, Wilson, and Lady Elliot Islands are thriving with eco-focused models that offer unique Great Barrier Reef experiences. Further north, Orpheus Island near Townsville stands out as a high-end, sustainably operated resort attracting premium travellers.' 1. Double Island (Cairns Region) Status: Abandoned; resort in ruins. Ownership: Previously owned by Benny Wu; now state-owned. Current Status: Queensland government issued an ultimatum to redevelop or forfeit lease. 2. South Molle Island (Whitsundays) Status: Resort devastated by Cyclone Debbie in 2017; remains abandoned. Ownership: Previously purchased by a Chinese company; now under state control. Current Status: Up for sale; expressions of interest sought for redevelopment. 3. Lindeman Island (Whitsundays) Status: Club Med resort abandoned; uninhabited for nearly a decade. Ownership: Recently bought after 10 years of vacancy. Current Status: Restoration efforts began in early 2024. 4. Hook Island (Whitsundays) Status: Abandoned after Cyclone Anthony in 2011. Ownership: New owner plans eco-lodge development. Current Status: Development application for $40 million eco-lodge lodged. 5. Brampton Island (Mackay Region) Status: Resort closed; infrastructure deteriorating. Ownership: Owned by United Petroleum since 2010. Current Status: Resort remains abandoned; future uncertain. 6. Great Keppel Island (Yeppoon) Status: Resort deteriorating since 2008 financial crisis. Ownership: Ownership changes; current status unclear. Current Status: Efforts to revive resort ongoing. 7. Laguna Quays (Near Airlie Beach) Status: Resort closed shortly after opening due to bankruptcy. Ownership: Ownership and future plans unclear. Current Status: Resort remains abandoned. 8. Capricorn Resort (Yeppoon) Status: Closed in 2016 due to neglected facilities. Ownership: Ownership and future plans unclear. Current Status: Resort remains abandoned. 9. Keswick Island (Mackay Region) Status: Resort inactive; Chinese leaseholder controversies. Ownership: Owned by Chinese company; leaseholder issues. Current Status: Queensland government threatening to seize control. 10. Dunk Island – QLD Status: Iconic resort wiped out by Cyclone Yasi (2011). Current: Remains in ruins; several failed redevelopment attempts. Ownership: Privately owned (recently sold in 2022); no confirmed rebuild. 11. Hinchinbrook Island Resort – QLD Status: Luxury wilderness lodge closed after Cyclone Yasi. Current: Site vandalised and collapsing. Ownership: Privately owned; no development activity. 12. St Bees Island – QLD Status: Not necessarily rundown as under-utilised. Resort facilities are unused, the island is leased long-term. Current: Known for rock wallabies; tourism infrastructure inactive.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
From celebrity hideaway to feral goat problems: What's next for these derelict island resorts?
Derelict Queensland island resorts that were once playgrounds for the rich and famous are facing a state government takeover, amid frustrations they have been used for land banking. Premier David Crisafulli has issued his strongest warning yet to the owners of the crumbling island getaways — some of which have been left to rot, overrun by weeds and feral goats — saying it was now the time to "use it or lose it". The Queensland government's bid to reclaim what were once the crown jewels of the state's tourism industry is part of a plan to revitalise the sector and double spending on tourism to $84 billion annually by 2045. Mr Crisafulli has accused some operators of "land banking" — holding onto prime sites without investing in them, while waiting for land values to rise — and said the Department of Natural Resources had begun issuing notices to those not doing the right thing. "These are assets that belong to the people of Queensland. I'm just not comfortable that in many cases, international corporations come in, buy the rights, sit on it, and just see an appreciation in its value," Mr Crisafulli said this week. The government can cancel or reclaim leases if operators fail to meet their obligations. At the top of the government hit list is Double Island off Cairns, once a celebrity hideaway for the likes of actors Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. It has now become an uninhabitable mess. Last year, the then-Labor state government took the unprecedented step of launching court action to strip a Hong Kong-based developer of the lease, following years of decay and public access disputes. The current government is now preparing to sell the 19-hectare island, but it will not simply go to the highest bidder — the state wants a buyer with the financial and managerial muscle to return it to its former glory. Across the Great Barrier Reef, once popular tourism destinations are now scarred by dilapidated infrastructure and environmental degradation. A 2024 parliamentary inquiry found high operational costs, cyclone damage, and a lack of lease compliance enforcement had left several island resorts in disrepair — including those on Great Keppel (Woppa), Hook, South Molle, and Lindeman islands. Brampton Island, near Mackay, was sold to United Petroleum in 2010 for $5.9 million. Today, its oceanfront pool lies unused, filled with sand. The 1980s party paradise, Great Keppel (Woppa) Island, off the central Queensland coast, is currently battling a feral goat problem. Keswick Island, just off Mackay, has faced stalled development and restricted public access for years. The island's lease has been held by Chinese-owned Oasis Forest Ltd since 2019. Resident Adrian Hayne said unreliable access had made life difficult. Mr Hayne said a failed 1990s plan for the island promised a marina, resort and housing. "We've had four separate takeovers of the island and all have been failures." Mr Hayne said he supported stronger government oversight of island leases. "Selling the islands is one thing, but making sure things get done is a whole other ball game." Island broker Hayley Manville has sold half a dozen tropical islands, including Long Island, Palm Bay, Lindeman and Daydream. Now she has begun marketing Double Island on behalf of the Queensland government and said interest was at an all-time high. "You get a mix [of potential buyers] — billionaires, high-net-worth individuals, offshore investors from Singapore and Dubai, even not-for-profits looking to turn an island into a wellness retreat or rehab centre," Ms Manville said. "Islands tend to draw in dreamers. We get a lot of inquiries, but a lot of people mix up ambition and ability. She said Australian buyers had become more active since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Australian investors have realised there's a real shortage of luxury resorts — and those are the ones that tend to thrive on these islands." Australian businessman Christopher Morris has recently spent tens of millions of dollars reviving run-down resorts in north Queensland and said island tourism was anything but simple. "It probably costs double to run a resort on an island compared to the mainland. You've got no utilities. Power, water, waste — everything — has to be generated or brought in," he said. Mr Morris bought Pelorus Island near Townsville just over a decade ago and said he had spent upwards of $25 million on refurbishments, including a solar installation and backup generators. Guests now pay $18,500 a night for the entire island. He then bought nearby Orpheus Island in 2017. A night there starts at $2,000. Mr Morris said it had taken years to see a return. "You're probably looking at three years before you make any money. It's about building the brand, getting overseas visitors, and working with travel agents," he said. Mr Morris said he linked his properties with private boats, helicopters and other tourism experiences. The billionaire said he had his eye on Double Island and had submitted an expression of interest for the site. He said the state government could do more to support credible island resort operators and pointed to insurance costs and red tape, such as complex approval processes and infrastructure challenges. As the billionaires circle, Keswick Island resident Adrian Hayne said he would like to see the islands remain open for everyone to enjoy.
