The Queensland government wants to maximise economic opportunities for the region. File photo: Louie Douvis

Queensland launches plan to revive rundown Great Barrier Reef resorts

Rebecca Holland|Apr 16, 2019

Rundown resorts on the Great Barrier Reef will be rejuvenated to ensure Queensland makes the most of what the state government describes as some of the best real estate in the world.

Of the 24 resorts on leasehold land in the Great Barrier Reef, only 13 are open, according to the Queensland government, which has set up a working group to identify ways to maximise economic opportunities for the region.

Nine of the remaining 11 have redevelopment plans in place and the other two are the subject of negotiation by private parties to determine their future.

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles said the government was committed to developing a strong and sustainable eco-tourism industry.

“The Great Barrier Reef resorts are an iconic part of Queensland’s tourism industry, however a number are unfortunately rundown and not operating,” Dr Miles said.

Turtle Island has been listed for sale with Colliers International. Photo: Supplied

Queensland’s Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gshwind, who welcomed Dr Miles’ announcement, told the Brisbane Times many resort owners had reported major problems negotiating between the three levels of government for approvals and regulations.

“Very often a developer ends up being very frustrated at being changed from one agency to the next, one department to the next,” Mr Gshwind said.

“And it can be difficult to deal with in a cumulative sense.

“So we do need a whole-of-government approach so a developer or an operator knows that they have to do.”

A number of Great Barrier Reef island properties and resorts are for sale. The latest to hit the market, Turtle Island, has previously caught the eye of American celebrities Julia Roberts and Kim Kardashian and is being marketed by Colliers International.

Colliers has also been appointed to sell Keswick Island, which has been granted development approval for a residential and eco-tourism resort and is expected to fetch up to $30 million. Expressions of interest close in late August.

South Molle Island is for sale. Photo: Supplied South Molle Island. Photo: Supplied

South Molle Island was offered for sale in May as a development opportunity through JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group. The decision to sell was prompted by a number of “unsolicited approaches” from investors and developers, according to agents.

A 2680-hectare section of Curtis Island is being marketed by CBRE in an international expressions-of-interest campaign due to close this week, on August 3.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said today it was important the reef island resorts were rejuvenated to offer world-class experiences to visitors.

A new wave of investor interest had resulted in the redevelopment of Hayman Island, the planned expansion of Hamilton Island Resort, the refurbishment of Daydream Island and new eco-resorts planned for Lindeman and Brampton islands.

“Anyone who has visited the Whitsunday islands knows just how breathtaking they are,” Ms Jones said.

“In the last 12 months, the Whitsundays welcomed more than 655,000 visitors. Tourism is worth more than $800 million to the region and supports more than 7000 local jobs.”

The inter-agency group that aims to turn around the fortunes of Queensland’s island resorts was working with the state’s tourism industry, Dr Miles said.