Carolyn Reynolds claims Lake Bennett will reopen as a resort in a matter of weeks
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has shot down any suggestions her government will help grease the wheels to reopen a Top End resort that has twice been shut down by NT Health.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Updated, August 30: Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has shot down any suggestions her government will help grease the wheels to reopen a Top End resort that has twice been shut down by NT Health.
On Friday, this masthead reported Carolyn Reynolds, the owner of the land and infrastructure that formerly housed De Lago Resort at Lake Bennett, and before that Lake Bennett Resort, was confident the Country Liberal Party’s return would see the resort open “next week”.
“Paradise returns with the CLP,” Ms Reynolds, a former CLP candidate for Goyder, said.
“Lake Bennett to reopen next week.
“Wanted: 20 fun-loving Territorians for the best jobs in the best location in the NT – chefs, canoe instructors, managers.”
After initially not responding to questions sent by this masthead, late on Friday afternoon Ms Finocchiaro said Ms Reynolds would not receive any special treatment.
“This is entirely an operational decision for NT Health,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
NT Health previously said it stood by its decision to issue the resort with a public health notice in April this year.
“The property is required to provide a safe drinking water supply and a compliant on-site wastewater management system,” a department spokeswoman said.
“The safety of the community is paramount, and these requirements have not been met.”
Ms Reynolds, and subsequent operator Andrew Gunn, have always maintained the on-site systems are compliant.
Lake Bennett landlord: CLP gov’t will pave way for resort’s return
Initial, August 30: The owner of a popular Top End weekend getaway, twice shut down by NT Health, claims her resort is weeks away from reopening, with its path back to be smoothed by the new Country Liberal Party government.
Lake Bennett landlord Carolyn Reynolds told this masthead the worm was turning for her beleaguered resort.
“It’s interesting when there’s a power shift the apologies start flowing,” Ms Reynolds said.
“The environmental health department [NT Health’s environmental health operations team] want to be your best mate.”
Ms Reynolds formerly operated the site as Lake Bennett Resort, before leasing it out to Andrew Gunn, who ran it as De Lago Resort on Lake Bennett until earlier this year
Ms Reynolds said she had a number of meetings on Wednesday and Thursday but would not specify with whom.
Ms Reynolds, and subsequently Mr Gunn, have waged a years-long battle with NT Health over the resort’s infrastructure – with the department maintaining the on-site wastewater and drinking water systems were non-compliant.
Ms Reynolds, who twice argued in court the initial closure of her business in 2018 was incorrect – both were lost – was bullish about the chances of resort operations returning sooner rather than later.
“Paradise returns with the CLP,” Ms Reynolds, a former CLP candidate for Goyder, said.
“Lake Bennett to reopen next week.
“Wanted: 20 fun-loving Territorians for the best jobs in the best location in the NT – chefs, canoe instructors, managers.”
In a statement, NT Health said it stood by its decisions in 2018 and again in April this year to slap public health orders on Lake Bennett to prevent it from operating.
“The property is required to provide a safe drinking water supply and a compliant on-site wastewater management system,” a spokeswoman said.
“The safety of the community is paramount, and these requirements have not been met.
“The public health orders were issued to address ongoing public health risks, including to ensure the safety of patrons using resort facilities and the ongoing environmental protection of Lake Bennett.”
The spokeswoman said the environmental health team had “consulted extensively with the relevant business proprietor and property owner to mitigate public health risks, and continues to work closely with them on compliance issues”.
NT Health did not answer directly when asked whether a future health minister would be able to instruct the chief health officer, whose responsibility it is to issue public health orders, to rescind the order over Lake Bennett.
Darwin airport welcomes Qatar’s move for stake in Aussie airline
Darwin airport has welcomed Qatar Airways plan to buy a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, saying it could bolster the Top End’s position as a key gateway for international travel.
‘Unmitigated disaster’: Legal Aid to cut services due to underfunding
NT Legal Aid is threatening to cut crucial services due to underfunding, in a move that could see criminals walk free and push a system at breaking point ‘over the edge’.