St Bees Island, Long Island sell as Keswick Island jetty plans lodged
A tide of exhilarating change is washing over tropical Great Barrier Reef islands as two get a new owner and another is in line for a new jetty. FIND OUT WHERE.
Mackay
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A tide of exhilarating change is washing over tropical Great Barrier Reef islands as two get a new owner and another is in line for a new jetty.
In anticipation, Greg Chappell has been busily renovating his six-bedroom, six-bathroom beach home on Keswick Island to prepare it for listing on Airbnb.
The Basil Bay Residents Association member said he was thrilled Oasis Forest, formerly known as China Bloom, had lodged plans to build a new jetty in the wake of the inquiry into the management of Queensland islands.
Mr Chappell, also the president of Keswick Island Progress Association, said the “game changer” jetty would open up all-tide access to a magnetic destination with abundant birdlife, wildlife, and marine life with the reef boasting neon coral that rivals top snorkelling spots.
His optimism is a far cry from just a few years ago when he walked away from his property in frustration over then China Bloom’s management of the island.
The crisis had triggered many Keswick Island landowners to sell up, with Mr Chappell describing a recent block sale price of $35,000 as “almost criminal”.
“But it’s on its way back to $60,000, $70,000 figures,” he said, adding the associations were “very happy” to work with Mackay Regional Council to expedite the jetty’s approval.
His anticipation coincides with Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Minister Meaghan Scanlon announcing the state government had purchased a 4.2ha lease on neighbouring St Bees Island.
While the government remains tight lipped on the purchase price, a previous occupant had bought the lease for more than $1m, less than the price of a three-bedroom home in inner Brisbane.
Contractors will be tasked with demolishing the island’s existing buildings – which include multiple houses, a caretaker’s cottage and pavilion – to convert the land into national park.
St Bees Island is important habitat for about 100 koalas which unlike their southern or mainland cousins have escaped diseases like chlamydia.
Mr Chappell is hoping the koalas will boost tourism opportunities for Keswick Island visitors with the islands literally a short swim away from each other.
Also in the Mackay region, the state government has bought a 3500ha lease on Long Island Broad Sound – a “known rookery for the vulnerable flatback turtle”.
Ms Scanlon said the island was an important for turtles’ protection and complementing the government’s acquisition of Wild Duck Island – where contractors will also demolish abandoned buildings.
The recent acquisitions are part of a $262.5m program to expand and create new national parks across Queensland.
Leased areas will remain off limits to the public while transition and rehabilitation work is undertaken.
As for when Mr Chappell would make his Keswick property available for rent, having formerly leased it to “famous people” and “people with notoriety”, it was a watch this space.
Correction:
This article had incorrectly said the government's acquisition of a lease on Long Island pertained to the island in the Whitsundays region. It was actually pertaining to the Long Island in the Mackay region.
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