Great Keppel Island is located in Keppel Bay in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The island is one of 15 in the Keppel group of islands and is surrounding by stunning coral reefs and 17 white sandy beaches. The western side of Great Keppel Island has been developed but more than 80% of the rest of the island (called Lot 21) is relatively undisturbed. The island is unique to Queensland (and indeed the world) because it forms part of the contentinental islands that are unique to the Great Barrier Reef.
Even more importantly, unlike other GBR inshore islands, Keppel is surrounded by fringing hard coral reefs which cover almost 100% of its shorelines. This makes for fantastic snorkelling, made even more special by GKI’s proximity only 12km from the mainland. But what visitors to this beautiful island always admire and cherish is that it is untouched, pure, natural and serene. There are no high rise buildings, no roads and not many people. Visitors can interact with the wildlife and environment and relax and unwind from their busy 21st century lives. This character is unique to island resorts which are mostly over-developed tourist traps. And it allows the public to quietly enjoy the environment without stress or strain, but in co-existence with nature.
History of the Island
Great Keppel Island’s original resort was owned by TAA. It was bought in 2006 by Sydney developer Tower Holdings. The owner of Tower Holdings is Terry Agnew, a 62 years old millionaire with a dream to retire as the landlord of a Great Barrier Reef island. When Agnew bought the resort on Great Keppel he did a deal with the then State Government minister Anna Bligh (brokered by CPR Communications and Public Relations, The Photon Group) that he would be given approval to develop Lot 21 on the eastern side of the island. Lot 21 is State land with a 3 year recreation lease allowing public access and recreation activities but not development or commercial activities. Unfortunately for Tower, a deal with the local traditional owners for their land on the northern side of the island fell through (they basically told him to go away and come back with a better offer). Tower was cash strapped and the resort was losing money. They sacked over 150 people without warning and closed the facility, selling off the plant and mothballed the buildings. All this, in spite of Tower’s lease stipulating that they must maintain an operating tourism facility at all times – signed by Terry Agnew himself.
Tower then proceeded to apply for development of both their resort footprint and more than 900 hectares on Lot 21. They were somewhat surprised when the local community did not approve of the massive development. They tried twice to get their plans through the State and Federal Governments, downsizing the second plan. Twice they failed because as the then minister for the Environment Peter Garrett said the project would have ‘CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE impacts’ on the environmental values of the island and surrounding coral reefs.
The State of Play
Tower tried for a third development proposal in 2009. This downscaled plan looks very much like the initial plans. This plan is now with the Federal and State governments (deemed a Project of State Significance by the Bligh Government) and Tower has conducted Environmental Impact Studies to try to get their development approved. The EIS is expected to be released for comment by the public in early 2012. The public will be able to read the EIS and comment on whether it truly reflects the potential impacts to the environmental, social and economic aspects of the island.
The Federal/State combined EIS process tests the impacts of the development against the Act. If approved, the developer must avoid, mitigate or minimise impacts to the development if they are found. Basically because the island lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park it is protected by EPBC legislation. It also lies within a declared World Heritage Area for which Australia VOLUNTARILY signed a commitment to protect its natural values and assets.
While everyone wants the island resort facilities re-opened and better access and facilities for the public, much of the community do not want Keppel Island urbanised and over-developed. To this end, a local community group is lobbying and advocating for responsible development on the western side of the island only and upgrade of the facilities for local members of the community. Lot 21 should be converted to a conservation or National Park with walking tracks and camping facilities managed to local tourism operators as recommended by the Department of Environment, Resource Management in the Most Appropriate Use Study in 2009. The downscaling of the current proposal in size and scope will ensure that the unique natural values of the island are retained whilst improving access and environmental management.
The Save Our Keppel Islands Taskforce is comprised of local community members. The purpose of this group is to actively lobby and advocate for downscaling of Tower’s plans by informing the public and the government of the potential impacts to the island and its surrounding reefs. We will only get one chance to get this right. Let’s keep Keppel GREAT!
How You Can Help
You can assist the SOKIT campaign by joining our group, donating or volunteering to help.
Alternatively you can write to two of the key decision makers:
Federal Minister for the Environment; Tony Burke (tony.burke.mp@environment.gov.au)
Federal Environment Opposition Minister Greg Hunt through his office (Denise.Garnock@aph.gov.au)
The new LNP cabinet including the key decision maker Coordinator General Barry Broe, Minister for Transport Michael Caltabiano and the Minister for Environment Jeff Seeney through the LNP party contact; (leader@lnpqld.org.au
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And by signing our petition here
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