Bicheno residents tell Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron: Use it or lose it

FRUSTRATED East Coast residents have accused millionaire investor Jan Cameron of holding back tourism in the region.

FRUSTRATED East Coast residents have accused millionaire investor Jan Cameron of holding back tourism in the region by allowing key properties she owns to fall into disrepair.

Bicheno locals say they hold little hope the eagerly awaited Triabunna woodchip mill development – co-owned by Ms Cameron and Wotif founder Graeme Wood – will kickstart a resurgence in the region while many of her properties remain undeveloped.

There is speculation in the town that business interests owned by Ms Cameron, who founded Kathmandu and at one time was worth $350 million, have bought up to 40 properties in the town. Confirmed purchases include the Silver Sands Motel on the waterfront, several bed and breakfast establishments, the Bicheno Youth Hostel and a shopping centre.

A search by the Sunday Tasmanian found 16 properties listed as owned by Ms Cameron or her company Bicheno Investments.

Helen Bain, a former business partner with Ms Cameron in the Seaview holiday park, said she did not believe Ms Cameron intended to develop those properties, which could revitalise the town.

Ms Bain said the Silver Sands, the youth hostel and the Seaview were all badly in need of refurbishment.

“In my and a lot of other people’s minds ... she holds the town back because she’s the owner of some significant commercial properties that just don’t get developed and go forward,” she said.

Ms Bain said the reclusive Ms Cameron was interested in securing bargain buys but did not want to commit further funds for development of her properties in the town.

“Jan Cameron, who was the majority owner [of Seaview], was not going to allow any development whatsoever, even though that was our stated view,” she said.

Ms Bain said when she eventually decided to end the business arrangement, she had to negotiate with Ms Cameron by text.

“She doesn’t answer the phone and you can’t have meetings with her.”

Some locals were supportive of the millionaire, pointing to Ms Cameron’s donations to charity, including a community car.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Bertrand Cadart said Ms Cameron had in fact renovated some properties and, at times, rescued desperate sellers.

“Once she made this offer people were happy enough to be out of a jam,” Cr Cadart said.

Ms Bain said hope for Bicheno revitalisation lies in the possibility Ms Cameron would shed property after her company DSG Holdings was placed into receivership.

Cr Cadart, a friend of Ms Cameron, said he would like to see the town’s tourism businesses thriving but they needed to be profitable.

“We live in a democracy where it is acceptable that people buy land and property and do whatever they want with it,” he said.

Environmentalists Ms Cameron and Mr Wood bought the mill from Gunns Ltd in 2011 for $10 million.

Ms Cameron did not respond to repeated requests for comment.