Dunk Island spit tender applicant Castaways Resort was among three options rejected

Pressure is mounting for the requirements of Dunk Island’s spit lease to be eased after all three tenders were rejected, with revelations one applicant was a popular local player.

AS a report outlining the next steps toward reactivating Dunk Island’s spit is prepared after all three tenders for lease were rejected, multiple sources have reported a popular local resort was among those turned down.

Castaways Resort and Spa had in the past publicly declared its interest in leasing the 4ha Cassowary Coast Regional Council-owned spit, after “testing the waters” by operating a temporary pop-up cafe on the island.

The cafe, and plans to operate the spit, were met with popular acceptance by the Mission Beach community.

However, multiple sources have told the Cairns Post it was among the three tenders that were rejected in a special CCRC meeting last week, because it did not satisfy the local government’s “value for money” requirement.

“It’s a local business, everyone was in favour of it, it really would have made sense,” the source said.

Castaways Resort and Spa Mission Beach was reported to be one of the tender applicants.

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Veteran Mission Beach real estate agent Grahame Anderson said he was not overly disappointed all three tenders were rejected.

“The council has a process and if you don’t meet the requirements then you’re not going to get it obviously,” Mr Anderson said.

“But maybe they (the council) should consider some of their requirements, because they might be a little difficult, and if it means contributing some money to get the spit going, then for sure. As long as it’s not a handout.”

A night time artist render of Mayfair’s proposed bar and cafe area on the Dunk Island spit.

Long-term tour operator, owner of the Dunk Island Water Taxi Nancy Lowe said she was “losing (her) Dunk Island spirit” after the tenders were rejected.

Ms Lowe said she had been waiting persistently for 10 years for the spit to become commercially operational and called on the local government to support tender applicants.

“There’s all this work that needs to be done (at the spit) and whoever takes it on … from running a camp site and maybe a cafe or water sports, they’re not going to have the financials to get it all done,” Ms Lowe said.

“There has to be some council support.”

Cassowary Coast Regional Council workers have been carrying out repairs at the jetty and sand erosion at Dunk Island. Picture: Supplied

Mayor Mark Nolan ruled out the use of ratepayer funds assisting any potential tender applicant.

“Getting this process right looks like making sure whoever wins the tender is financially sustainable, we don’t want them to do this on the back of ratepayers,” he said.

“We didn’t charge a bond on the previous leases with Experience Co and Mayfair, so when those fell through, we didn’t even have a bond to fall back on.”

CCRC chief executive Andrew Graffen was expected to present a report at the next local government meeting outlining the council’s next steps, which Cr Nolan said would likely be a “green light to go back to tender.”

Castaways Resort and Spa was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Dunk Island spit tender applicant Castaways Resort was among three options rejected