Call to recruit for best job ever after kids trash Double Island
A Cairns leader has called for a new caretaker to be shipped over to Double Island after it was alleged kids have been smashing up and stealing from the old resort off the coast of Palm Cove.
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Blame for vandals running amok at Double Island since Benny Wu was stripped of the property has laid at the feet of the state government for failing to install a caretaker at the island.
Last June after a two-year arm wrestle Fortune Island Holdings was ousted from the island in a state government push to demand Great Barrier Reef island leaseholders either “use it or lose it”.
Leading up to the state government takeover of the island caretaker, Jacek Wojtas, employed by Mr Wu was removed from the island.
It’s understood no replacement was installed at the island despite former Barron River MP Craig Crawford identifying the need of a live-in custodian.
Now visitors to the former tourism jewel have reported the smashing up of buildings including the beachside gym built by dotcom millionaire Sean Howard to entice Keanu Reeves to the island while the actor was in training for the Matrix in 1999.
While parts of the roof had collapsed which caused trees to grow over training equipment all the glass was intact until recently.
“The gym is all shattered and the next cyclone will blow it all around and it’s an environmental disaster waiting to happen,” a boatie who asked to remain anonymous said.
“The whole place and (the caretaker’s) little house has been smashed up and there’s missing solar panels and stuff has been ripped out and spread around the island.
“They should have left Jack there and it’s just crazy to see it in that state and more kids are going in there and smash it up.”
Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said he had been sent pictures of teens at the island last year posing for the camera with booze bottles while throwing up gang signs.
He said previously, caretaker Mr Wojtas had dogs and did a great job of scaring away trespassers, however for the past six months this had not been happening.
“They should have left a caretaker on the island, kids have been going over there in tinnies and you can even get over there on a kayak,” he said.
“The question was asked (about a new caretaker) and Craig said the department would handle that and I think Craig, to his credit, said kids will come over but it wasn’t his call, but I think the department should have put someone there.
“And I think things have been stolen.”
Mr Olds said aside from damage and environmental mess the bigger issue was one of safety given the poor condition of some buildings and tumbledown sections of jetty.
“Kids will get hurt, they are just going over there thinking they are having fun but it could turn into a serious issue,” he said.
“They are just being young and dumb but will the parents sue the government and in this day of litigation who is liable if someone falls over and cuts themselves?”
The northern beaches councillor said the government would have no trouble attracting applicants more than ready to step up and live their best life at the idyllic island just off the coast from Palm Cove.
“There would be a bunch of people keen to put their hands up,” he said.
The Department of Natural Resources, now in control of the island, was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Call to recruit for best job ever after kids trash Double Island
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