Queensland government takes legal action against former resort owner

Action is finally being taken after parliamentary inquiry last year looked into the issues of the Barrier Reef Islands and those that have been left abandoned and in disrepair. That’s very unfortunate because the Great Barrier Reef is of course Australia S internationally most recognised natural and tourism asset and we have to do everything we can to present it in the best possible way. We have some very successful island operations up there, very successful marine tourism industry. In fact a case study and successful joint management between the tourism industry researchers and the the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority. But some of those islands on leases owned by the public, by the Queensland public if you like administered through the government have been left in disrepair and they have wise, previously very successful and high profile. They have now left been left abandoned and it’s great to see that the Queensland government is now taking action to address this. It’s tough business to run an island resort but it can be done successfully and we have to do this for the good of the entire Australian tourism industry because the Barrier Reef is so prominent. So how many other resorts are falling apart in the same way then, Daniel? Well, it’s about four or five that they spring to mind that have various sizes of previous results on them and all of them are under review. I like to think from the Queensland government. They’ve been in the spotlight of the tourism industry and the management authority for quite some time. And that I think it is really time now that the tourism industry is slowly recovering from COVID. Our international visitors are slowly returning back to Australia and the Barrier Reef will be a key destination for international visitors as it is for domestic visitors and we have to make sure we showcase it in the best possible way. So for those islands that are being left to wreck and ruin if you like, why their owners abandoning them? Well, perhaps they misunderstood what what it takes to run a successful island resort. It’s not just a trophy ownership that that is on offer with those islands you really have to commit, you have to understand the tourism market. You have to be prepared to invest and and really make this work for the for the, for the business owners but also for the consumers. Of course it is in some cases fairly complicated journey to get to some of these islands. It’s worthwhile doing, but we have to make sure we then deliver the is deliver the quality of accommodation that the visitors who can’t do deserve and it can be done and but some of those owners previously probably went into it with the wrong motivation. OK, so the Queensland government has now taken legal action against one of these islands. Can the state government compel owners to bring facilities back online and to spend the money that’s needed? Well, some of those lease conditions when the leases were issued originally had in them provisions that compelled the owners to invest a certain amount over a certain period. And in some cases that did not happen. And the delay and the non action if you like, went on for far too long. And now the Queensland government has taken action and that’s great to see. As I said, it follows an inquiry that took place last year into that situation and ultimately it’s in the interest of all of us to see these public assets managed well and used to in an environmentally and commercial sensible way.