Double Island: Inside Benny Wu’s plan for island resort rebuild
The tropical haven that once hosted A-list celebs like Madonna and Keanu Reeves must be spruced up in just months to meet a government deadline. What needs to be done.
Cairns
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CHINESE owners of an island eyesore are in a race against time to meet a government deadline to operate the property as a tourist destination ahead of the wet season.
Double Island once hosted Hollywood A-listers such as Madonna, Guy Ritchie and Keanu Reeves in lavish tropical luxury.
But neglect of the property since Benny Wu acquired the island – and flouting conditions of a 99-year lease that requires the property to be operated for tourism purposes – has triggered a crackdown from the Department of Resources.
As reported in the Cairns Post last week, March 31 2023 has been locked in as a deadline to fix public day-use facilities and be actively operating as a tourism resort.
Former caretaker at the island Brett Tyrrell was employed for about a year before Mr Wu’s Fortune Island Holdings took possession in 2012.
He said in 2011 when the island was owned by OzEmail founder Sean Howard buildings were showing tropical wear and tear.
“The place had already been deserted and quite run down. It was getting quite dilapidated but still had a beauty to it,” he said.
Based on the condition of the property a decade ago Mr Tyrrell said it would be a mammoth job to get the resort operating before the hammer fell on the March 2023 deadline.
“It’s an incredibly major deal to get it up to scratch,” he said.
“I would not be surprised if (Benny Wu) would have to spend $10m to get it up to standard and have people there.”
The Department of Resources stated if Fortune Island Holdings doesn’t get the resort running in time the next possible step is a remedial action notice.
“Any lessee who continues to not meet conditions can ultimately forfeit their lease,” a spokeswoman said.
“(But) the Department’s preference is always to work with a lessee where possible to support responsible and timely development of leased land that belongs to all Queenslanders.
“The Land Act sets out a clear staged process to ensure leaseholders meet the terms and conditions of their leases, while also giving them natural justice.”
Current Double Island caretaker, who asked to be known as Jack, met with Mr Wu on Friday to discuss compliance with Department of Resources demands.
“The biggest issue is the wet season coming,” he said.
“It’s all about replacing old timber with the new timber and the deck and jetty has to be replaced.
“Sewerage is perfect, it was operating two years ago and it’s all good.
“To remove rubbish all you need is to contact Sea Swift and get a barge.
“There is some action and I’m sure we will fulfil the obligations of the contract, one of (Mr Wu’s) builders from Mareeba just called me today (Friday.)”
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Originally published as Double Island: Inside Benny Wu’s plan for island resort rebuild
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