Developers eye off Mackay island paradise

Island off Mackay coast could be about to get new owners

Keswick Island. Picture: Eva Browne-Paterson

EXCLUSIVE: Picturesque Keswick Island could be about to get new owners - and a new lease of life.

The Daily Mercury understands the lease for the 53-hectare island 34km off Mackay is about to be sold to overseas developers.

The island has been on the market for three years and an application to transfer the lease was this week received by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and is currently being assessed by the Queensland Government.

The Daily Mercury understands the island, including a 117 hectare development area, has been sold to high-profile developers.

The sale is subject to Queensland Government approval and the investors are understood to be meeting with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines soon to discuss the purchase.

"As the assessment process for these types of developments requires detailed information, this process can take some time to complete," a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Mines said.

During their marketing campaign, Colliers International agents touted the island as being a "unique property investment for luxury tourism developers and investors" and noted it had planning approval for a large-scale island development with unique zoning for mixed residential and tourism development as well as a permit for a substantial marina.

The approvals allow an 180-plus berth marina, up to 1000 dwellings and 3000 people.

Current owner Edward Dawson-Damer, who is a former equerry to Queen Elizabeth and a family friend to the royal family, purchased the island lease in 2006 and in 2008 plans for new villas, condominiums, cafes and shops, as well as a deep-water jetty and improved barge ramps, were revealed.

Mackay-based PRD Nationwide principal Greg Chappell has been marketing the island since 1998 and likened development of the island to that of a small coal mine opening in terms of economic benefit.

"I think whichever way it goes, it's a good thing for Mackay and the island, providing the buyers do something with it quickly. It would be sad it that didn't happen," he said.

"Given it is developed, it could add a whole new dimension to the Mackay economy. If it is developed, it needs to have easy, affordable access without restrictions. Keswick Island desperately needs a permanent jetty and access for boats and planes."

Marketing agents Colliers International declined to comment for the story.

Originally published as Developers eye off Mackay island paradise