State Government coverts Double island to state-owned freehold land

The state government has made a major step in a “new era” for the dilapidated and neglected paradise of Double Island. What does it mean?

Here is a becalmed Double Island this morning. Royale Thompson

The state government has made a major step in a “new era” for the dilapidated and neglected paradise of Double Island.

The government announced on Friday it was taking the “huge step” of converting Double Island to state-owned freehold land.

Following years of neglect, the previous government reclaimed the defunct island in June last year, stripping Hong Kong investor Benny Wu of his $5.68m lease, acquired in 2012.

Mr Wu’s Fortune Island Holding Company, the lessee, had previously received written notices to comply with the conditions of its lease, ultimately being issued a March 31, 2023 deadline to have day use facilities up to scratch and open to the public, which it failed to meet.

In May, the Queensland Land Court ruled Fortune was in breach of its lease – opening the door the for state government to revoke the agreement.

Natural Resources Minister Dale Last said the government would soon seek expressions of interest looking for an operator with a “forward-looking tourism vision” for Double Island.

“I am excited about the possibilities that this entails,” he said.

Double Island off Palm Cove. Picture Emily Barker.

“Converting the island to state-owned freehold land gives us stronger powers to negotiate commercial leases and ensure leaseholders provide world-class tourism offerings and are accountable to the people of Queensland.

“This step forward follows consultation with the local community and other stakeholders about the future of Double Island, as well as market sounding with industry.”

Mr Last accused the former state government of dragging their heels on Double Island.

“Labor had a decade to secure the future of Double Island and they failed, miserably,” he said.

“The former Labor government dragged their heels and let Double Island’s potential go to waste.

“Islands that were once the jewels in our tourism crown were neglected under Labor – but not on my watch.”

Assistant minister for Tourism and Barron River MP Bree James this was a new era for “an island treasure that Far North Queenslanders know and love”.

Double Island off Palm Cove. Picture Emily Barker.

“Our community has loudly advocated for the restoration of Double Island to its former glory, and this is an important step toward achieving that,” she said.

“This is what we’ve all been waiting for and I’m excited for both locals and visitors to be able to explore Double Island.”

Before the state election the Labor Government had launched consultations with the public to get their thoughts on how the island should be used with former Barron River MP Craig Crawford indicating locals were pitching for a comparable outcome to that of Green and Fitzroy Islands.

“So you’ve got that hotel operation, but it doesn’t become an exclusive lease for the whole island; so that you can still include other tourism operators to set up for recreation, or some nature conservation and build some walks, and some people just want general public access to take the family for a picnic,” he said.

Originally published as State Government coverts Double island to state-owned freehold land