‘Humanitarian crisis’ at Kuranda Resort and Spa as residents face homelessness
Dozens are facing homelessness after being evicted from what was once a shining Far North tourism jewel – and now a deep-pocketed foreign buyer has emerged.
Cairns
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A FOREIGN buyer is eager to secure the run-down Kuranda Resort and Spa.
More than 70 per cent of the resort, comprising 64 lots on 3.24ha at Greenhills Rd, was owned by companies Followcastle and Adventure Management – but Mareeba Shire Council took court action against the companies for a reported $300,000 unpaid rates and both were put into liquidation.
Squatters and tenants at 41 properties were evicted by the liquidator with villas boarded up and many facing homelessness.
The sole director of both companies was Graham Hughes, and while some residents at the defunct resort have been living in concerning conditions, Mr Hughes recently sold a palatial riverside home at up-market Hamilton in Brisbane for $2,250,000.
Zack’s Strata senior strata manager Christine Kolenc said there were 64 lots at the property with 41 owned by the companies in liquidation, 13 owned by the third majority company owner and 10 owned by individuals.
CoreLogic data shows the third majority company is Ruby Lake Pty Ltd, whose director is Southport-based Kevin Rodgers.
Ruby Lake’s place of business is listed as Mirage Estate at Port Douglas.
MP for Barron River Craig Crawford, who visited the resort recently, said it was “a humanitarian crisis” for those evicted and those who remained in squalid conditions.
“It’s really, really bad, it is a humanitarian crisis and Kuranda Neighbourhood Centre and Mareeba Community Housing have been doing great work with about 30 families who were living in pretty terrible conditions,” Mr Crawford said.
He said his office had donated $5000 to assist Kuranda Neighbourhood Centre to support those in need.
“I have reached out to Ergon to request the power remains on during this difficult time for tenants asked to suddenly vacate with no homes to go to,” he said.
Ms Kolenc said the two companies put into liquidation owed more than $1.7m body corporate fees.
“The current state of Kuranda Resort is a direct result of a majority lot owner absolutely refusing to meet their financial responsibility to the body corporate as well as a refusal to maintain the condition of property in their ownership,” Ms Kolenc said.
She said she was appointed to meet body corporate statutory obligations but lack of cooperation by owners has stymied her.
“I have been significantly hindered,” Ms Kolenc said.
“A buyer has been attempting to purchase the lots owned by Followcastle Pty Ltd and Adventure Management Pty Ltd for almost 18 months,” Ms Kolenc said.
“That buyer is now eager to negotiate with the liquidator to realise a sale.”
SM Solvency Accountants partner Brendan Nixon, who is the liquidator, said the properties were being valued and it was unlikely they would hit the market until early next year.
Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin said council was working with evicted tenants to find housing for them.
Cr Toppin said the property had fallen into total disrepair and council was concerned for the welfare of those caught up in the situation.
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Originally published as ‘Humanitarian crisis’ at Kuranda Resort and Spa as residents face homelessness
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