Queensland Doubles Down on Island Tourism Revival

POLICY I PHIL BARTSCH I 24 JUN 24 I The Urban Developer

Paradise, it seems, is not lost.

But after years of neglect and being laid low by cyclones, can the former jewels in Queensland’s tourism crown—the island resorts off the state’s tropical north coast—regain their sparkle?

Well, that's the plan and it's clearly in motion.

In the latest move to restore some much-needed shine to the idyllic specks in the ocean, the Queensland Government has finally reclaimed Double Island, north of Cairns.

The 17.8ha island is back in the state’s hands after the Land Court ruled that Hong Kong billionaire Benny Wu’s leasehold over the island could be revoked as its conditions had been breached by failing to reopen it for tourism.

Sitting off the coast of Palm Cove, its once luxury resort played host to Hollywood celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston and Keanu Reeves.

But it was shutdown more than six years ago and is now dilapidated and derelict state.

Wu’s Fortune Island Holdings Company paid $5.68 million for the leasehold in 2013. It failed to file an appeal against the court’s decision by the deadline.

Tourism minister Michael Healy said the legal victory puts Queensland island resort operators on notice to comply with their leases or risk losing them.

“We think it is only fair to expect resort operators to comply with their lease,” he said.

Resources minister Scott Stewart said there had been a “sustained attempt over time to work with the lessee”.

“Our islands are natural assets that we want Queenslanders to be able to enjoy as part of our great lifestyle.”

“[And] as a government we are committed to the responsible development of our island resorts for the jobs and business opportunities they create in regional Queensland.”

Stewart said a detailed assessment of the island’s infrastructure would be undertaken as well as community engagement on Double Island’s future.

In April, the Queensland Government unveiled a $30-million blueprint to revive Woppa (Great Keppel Island) to create a world-class destination.

The masterplan comes after plans by mining billionaire Gina Rinehart to acquire the island collapsed in 2022.

A popular destination in the 1980s, the island—15km off Yeppoon on Queensland's Capricorn Coast—fell on tough times and its resort closed in 2008.

The Queensland Government took over the leases in 2023 after a number of commercial negotiations did not progress.

AUTHOR Phil Bartsch