Island resort should be open
Double Island’s dilapidated resort was supposed to be fully refurbished and teeming with tourists this Easter, according to the State Resources department.
The department confirmed March 31 was the deadline not only for day use facilities to be operational, but for the resort itself to be open.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart has indicated Double Island leaseholder Benny Wu could be stripped of the lease he paid $5.68m for 11 years ago.
“I expect action to be taken when it comes to leaseholders meeting their obligations,” Mr Stewart said.
Two audits by Cairns Regional Council in recent years have shown the island to be in sad disrepair and the department did an audit in early 2022.
A Department of Resources spokeswoman said while Mr Wu’s company had provided a report on March 31, the deal was for day use facilities and the resort to be operating by that date.
Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said he was disappointed the state government hadn’t already acted.
“They have to pull his lease,” Cr Olds said, claiming many conditions have not been met.
He said it was heartening that local state MPs Craig Crawford and Michael Healy were calling time up on Mr Wu’s company.
“Benny’s had more chances than a naughty toddler to get it right, but enough is enough,” Cr Olds said.
“He has failed at every hurdle – pull his lease and watch the expressions of interest flood in.”
Mr Wu was reported as saying in 2020 the state government had reneged on a deal for dollar-for-dollar funding to a cap of $5m and that he unsuccessfully applied to the $25m Great Barrier Reef Island Resort Rejuvenation Program in 2018.
A government spokesman said although Mr Wu bought the island under Campbell Newman’s LNP government, it was not government procedure to give such funding undertakings, and all funding was contestable.
Palm Cove Tourism boss Tony Richards relied on council’s most recent audit for his submission to the government inquiry into the state of island resorts.
It said the site was in no condition to provide any sort of facility for tourism, general and construction waste was accumulating, there was coastal erosion, the mooring had deteriorated and could not be used and there were no working effluent systems.
The department can give the lessee 28 days notice and then refer the matter to the Land Court, which decides if the lease is forfeited.
Mr Wu has not been contactable – the number for Double Island resort and De Bruey’s winery at Mareeba is the same number and no-one answered the phone at Acacia Court Hotel, which is owned by Mr Wu.