Island caretaker has weeks to live, abandons paradise

Poor health has prompted the premature listing of secluded St Bees Island off the coast of Mackay.

St Bees managing director Phil Webb, has been struck with illness and it has prompted the sale of the island. Picture: Shakira Sellen

POOR health has prompted the premature listing of secluded St Bees Island off the coast of Mackay.

Phill Webb and Agnes Jackson moved to the island in 2014 after securing a 20-year lease on the 1100hectare paradise in the southern Whitsundays.

Ten years ago Mr Webb was diagnosed with haemochromatosis, however his condition has deteriorated in the past couple of months, forcing him to relocate closer to medical help.

According to the 70-year-old, doctors say he shouldn't be alive.

"The doctors' orders is I've got to stay on the mainland and be close to the hospital and the doctors," he said.

"I've only been given weeks to live, according to them, but I'm trying to outlive them."

The island lease was first advertised for sale about "nine months ago" however, the listing didn't spark any interest, which led Mr Webb to post the property to Gumtree.

"Within 10 hours of me lodging that advert, we had someone on the phone and he's now down here on the boat," he said.

The ad on Gumtree says, "Keep the island to yourself as your private retreat, build a new luxury home."

"There are many bays and beautiful beaches all around the 1100ha island, coral reefs the best in the area right out front of the resort, diving, scuba, fishing, and boating are just part of the activities on St Bees Island.

"No other person lives on St Bees Island. It's all yours. Bushwalks, rain forrests, Beautiful blue butterfies, fauna and flora."

Neither Mr Webb nor Ms Jackson want to part ways with the island. In the past three years they have put extensive work into it.

Mr Webb expects whoever visits the island to fall in love with it, just as they did.

"We had a look around, I thought I was just tyre kicking having a look, I was interested but I didn't think we were going to buy it.

"We were sitting around at Keswick Island waiting for the plane back and Anges pushed me down the jetty where the agent was standing and said we'd buy it."

Read the full ad HERE.

Originally published as Island caretaker has weeks to live, abandons paradise