What’s next for Great Keppel Island as Tower-Altum lease transfer appeal period lapses
The Resources Department confirmed this week that Tower Holdings had not appealed the State Government resolution not to transfer leases for the island to Altum Property Group. Here’s what it means for the resort.
Rockhampton
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Negotiations continue about Great Keppel Island’s future following the recent lapse of the period during which the State Government’s decision not to transfer leases from Tower Holdings to Altum Property Group could have been appealed.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart declared in June that Altum would not receive the leases required for its proposed resort due to a lack of funds.
The Resources Department confirmed this week that Tower Holdings had not appealed that resolution.
“Only the holder of the lease, in this case GKI Resort Pty Ltd [Tower Holdings], can apply for a decision to be reviewed, and this must happen within 42 days,” it said.
“GKI Resorts did not lodge an appeal before the July 29 deadline.”
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said on Friday that GKI’s future was two-pronged, depending simultaneously on Tower Holdings’ ability to make something of its development approvals, and on how the State Government spent roughly $26 million of a promised $30 million on the island.
“I really hope that Tower Holdings can find a group who has got both the management and financial capability, as required by the State Government, to develop the existing approval, which has been in place since 2013,” she said.
That approval is for a 15-year, $1.5 billion development, among the features of which are 700 luxury villas and a 250-berth marina.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe visited GKI on June 24 to consult with stakeholders about how the State Government should spend its money there.
The fruits of that consultation are expected by the end of the year in the form of an inventory, or ‘master plan’ for the island.
Stakeholders – the Tourism Department, the State Development Department, Livingstone Shire mayor Andy Ireland, Ms Carroll, Woppaburra representatives, island residents, and relevant business owners – put forward the following as GKI infrastructure priorities.
- All-weather island access, such as a ferry and barge ramp suitable for old and disabled people
- Walking tracks
- Day-trip infrastructure, such as barbecues, shade, and toilets
- Island security
- Infrastructure for emergency services, such as a shed
“Capricorn Enterprise supports what all of our operators are saying, and that is that it must be focused on better access to the island, because at the moment, as you know, the boats land on the beach, and that is not providing full equitable access for visitors and suppliers,” Ms Carroll said.
In March, Livingstone Shire Council voted in favour of such infrastructure, and Mr Ireland on Friday agreed that better access was the most sought-after island improvement.
After the lease transfer decision, Altum announced plans to build a glamping tent village in the vicinity of Tower Holdings’ run-down resort building for roughly $8 million.
Neither Tower Holdings nor Altum wished to comment for this story.
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