Resources Minister Scott Stewart hits back at claims the government is mismanaging Keswick and Brampton Islands

Resources Minister Scott Stewart has hit back at Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm’s claims, arguing residents have not taken actions available to them.

Island residents making plenty of noise against their Chinese-owned head lessee have made zero efforts at mediation or arbitration, an MP has alleged.

The comments come after Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm travelled to Keswick Island to meet with residents over their concerns with China Bloom.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart has hit back at Ms Camm’s allegations the government was mismanaging Queensland islands as she called for a parliamentary inquiry into the issue.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart has hit back at allegations levelled at the Queensland government over management of its islands including Keswick Island and Brampton Island. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Stewart said his department’s officers had met with residents on Keswick Island to investigate their claims “first-hand”.

He said neither China Bloom nor the residents had taken any mediation or arbitration action despite having legal rights to do so under the Land Act 1994.

“(The) government is committed to making sure all relevant activities on Keswick Island are in accordance with the lease conditions,” Mr Stewart said.

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm (centre) visited Keswick Island with opposition state development, infrastructure and planning spokesman Fiona Simpson and opposition mines spokesman Pat Weir on Tuesday, June 22 to discuss issues on the island with residents. Picture: Heidi Petith

He also rejected Ms Camm’s claims the state government’s actions were encouraging land banking on Brampton Island, where a development approval for a seven star resort was extended another six years.

Mr Stewart said the approval extension was a matter for the Mackay Regional Council, not the Department of Resources.

“The department continues to engage with lessees and key stakeholders to facilitate redevelopment and rejuvenate island resorts in the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.

Mr Stewart said the government supported a “viable” tourism industry and would continue working with stakeholders to make sure island lease holders were “doing the right thing”.

Originally published as Resources Minister Scott Stewart hits back at claims the government is mismanaging Keswick and Brampton Islands