Craig Crawford MP reveals what tourism operations he wants to see on Double Island

Sipping cocktails while watching the sun set over Palm Cove could become a reality for Far Northerners if the Fortune Island Holding Company’s lease on Double Island is revoked, according to a local MP.

Millionaire Hong Kong businessman Benny Wu has owned Double Island Resort, off the coast of Palm Cove in Far North Queensland, since 2012. He has allowed the facilities to fall into a state of neglect and disrepair, in breach of his lease conditions set out by the Queensland Government. Picture: Brendan Radke

Sipping cocktails while watching the sun set over Palm Cove could become a reality for Far North tourists if the Minister for Resources revokes the Fortune Island Holding Company’s lease on Double Island, according to a local MP.

The verdict on Hong Kong billionaire Benny Wu’s Fortune Island Holding Company’s fight to hold onto Double Island was delivered on May 7, after the Land Court ruled it would not block any moves by the Minister for Resources to strip the company of its Double Island lease.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford welcomed the verdict, and outlined what operations he would like to see on the island, should the lease be forfeited back to the state government.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford: Brendan Radke

“I’d like to see it become a tourism asset with day access from Palm Cove and operations to include overnight stays, much like what’s on offer on Fitzroy Island and Green Island,” Mr Crawford said.

“How good would it be for day trippers to go from the Palm Cove jetty to Double Island; have cocktails around the pool, entertain family, watch the sunset over Palm Cove and come back to the mainland?”

Mr Crawford said he was working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to upgrade the current Palm Cove jetty to make it suitable for small craft vessels to use.
“We want to see if there’s a solution to make it safer so transfers to Double Island or fishing charter operators can use the jetty to pick up passengers,” Mr Crawford said.

Millionaire Hong Kong businessman Benny Wu has owned Double Island Resort, off the coast of Palm Cove in Far North Queensland, since 2012. He has allowed the facilities to fall into a state of neglect and disrepair, in breach of his lease conditions set out by the Queensland Government. Picture: Brendan Radke

“At the moment, it’s only used for fishing.”

Mr Crawford said he would prefer to see the island’s lease handed over to an Australian entity such as the Morris Group, which had expressed interest in taking over the lease, as opposed to an overseas entity.
“Obviously, it’s a decision for the Resources Minister, but I would be strongly opposed to appointing an overseas entity and repeating the mistakes of the past,” he said.

In conversation with Palm Cove residents, Mr Crawford said the topics on everyone’s mind were parking facilities for the island and making the jetty operational.
“The conversations I’ve had have been pretty positive. (Residents) all want the same thing – an operation that will tap into the existing Palm Cove product, and works for everyone,” he said.
“Something to create a whole day out for tourists and residents, and to add to things people can already do up here, like going to the Reef, Daintree and Tablelands.”

Originally published as Craig Crawford MP reveals what tourism operations he wants to see on Double Island