We have received an overwhelming number of questions and queries from people who are concerned about the recent media articles on the ‘approval’ of development on Great Keppel Island. Some of these are highlighted below.

1. The development has been approved – can construction commence?

No. Due to the impacts of the development, an extensive number of approvals are required  prior to construction commencing. These are required by law. To date, only two approvals have been received (by GKI Resort Pty Ltd) and opportunities to appeal these are available to the public. Appeals are lodged and heard by the courts – this is significant as judges are not swayed by votes or perceived economic benefits. Appeals also take considerable time and injunctions can be filed to stop construction from commencing until the appeal is heard by the court.

Briefings are currently being prepared for the consideration and advice of legal counsel.  This is focusing on a number of areas, including the material facts presented within the Environmental Impact Statement and the process used by government used to assess and subsequently approve the development.

As highlighted above, numerous approvals are required to construct the development. This includes native title and a number of other ‘environmental’ approvals under state law. Applications for these approvals will take some time to prepare and assessment periods by government are lengthy. If approved, appeals are again able to be lodged with the courts.

2. What can I do now – I am still concerned and frustrated.

There are actions you can undertake if you are genuinely concerned about the developments impacts or the manner in which it was approved. Some of these are highlighted below.

Queensland Ombudsman

You can write to the Queensland Ombudsman if you are concerned about the process used or performance of the State government. A link to the ombudsman is provided below.

http://www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au/

Politicians

You can write to your local, state or commonwealth politician if you are concerned about the process used by the State or Commonwealth government or the impacts of the development.

Express your concerns – the right politician is always interested in what voters have to say. Some suggested members to contact are as follow.

Commonwealth – Larissa Waters MP. Email – senator.waters@aph.gov.au

State – Annastacia Palaszczuk MP. Email – Inala@parliament.qld.gov.au

UNESCO

If you are concerned about impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, write to UNESCO. They are an international organisation which is currently monitoring the health of the reef and are influential on the Commonwealth and Queensland State governments. UNESCO’s email address is provided below.

wh-info@unesco.org

SOKIT

You can write to us outlining your concerns – send us an email if you are concerned on the process used to approve the development or the accuracy of the Environmental Impact Statement. Our email is on the ‘Our Contacts’ page. We welcome all comments but would appreciate if your concerns were brief and supported by a number of facts. This will help us immensely.

The Hon Tony Burke MP
Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
C/O – Tower Holdings
Level 32, 100 Miller Street
North Sydney, NSW, 2060.
mail@towerholdings.com.au

(Insert date here)

Dear Minister,

RE: Great Keppel Island Tourism and Marina Development

I do not support…(insert text here)……

I do support …(insert text here)…..

Regards

Yours Sincerely,

INSERT YOUR NAME & ADDRESS

Cc

The Hon Tony Burke MP
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600.
Tony.Burke.MP@environment.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6273 6101

and

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
GKI Federal Submission
Townsville head office
PO Box 1379
Townsville QLD 4810.
info@gbrmpa.gov.au

1. Great Keppel Island is situated within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is a relatively unspoilt island with beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
2. The island currently supports a small resort which is situated on public land. This area of land is leased by GKI Resort Pty Ltd.
3. GKI Resort Pty Ltd is a private company which is under the sole direction of Mr Terry Agnew. Mr Agnew is a Sydney based developer.
4. Mr Agnew closed the current resort in 2009. This was done without warning and resulted in the loss of jobs for locals.
5. GKI Resort Pty Ltd is proposing to construct a new resort on the island. Former politicians have been engaged (paid) by Mr Agnew to influence sitting members of parliament into approving the development.
6. The new resort is almost 4 times the size of the current facility and  includes 750 luxury villas (375 square metres in area),  a marina for 15 to 30 metre long yachts, a runway for commercial and private aircraft and an 18 hole golf course. The average 4 bedroom home is 220 square metres.
7. Costs to construct the resort and marina are substantial. These are proposed to be offset by GKI Resort Pty Ltd through the actual sale of villas and marina berths.
8. Operating expenses of marinas are high. These costs are offset by higher rents and levies. Ferry operators and retail shops are subject to these charges and pass the cost on to the consumer. Increases in ferry fares and takeaway food prices result.
9. The new resort provides limited facilities for locals on day trips.
10. Safety and liability issues will restrict free access to the marina by small boat owners.
11. Construction of the luxury villas and golf course requires extensive clearing of native vegetation and earthworks within the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
12. Construction of the marina will require dredging and result in the direct loss of many corals and fish. The marina is situated directly over areas of coral and sea grass, the latter habitat for the local dugong.

Construction of a regional airport on Great Keppel Island will reduce future revenue from the Rockhampton Airport. Additional flights with tourists will land on GKI Resort Pty Ltd private runway. This will not generate income for the rate payers of Rockhampton. This duplication in infrastructure is not effecient and does not support the growth and operation of public infrastructure. This represents a financial loss for local rate payers and is worsened by the fact that the competing infrastructure (the proposed Great Keppel Island airport) is built on public land. Land that is owned by the people of Queensland.

Construction of an airport on Great Keppel Island does not support local business. Operators such as Freedom Fast Cats would not benefit from an airport on Great Keppel Island as tourists have the ability to fly direct to the island. Similar effects would result for other local businesses as tourists would fly directly in and out of Great Keppel Island. Profits from this operation would be biased to one private company.

Be sure to come back soon and see our recreation plan for the island. We’re confident it will be of interest with a wreck for snorkelling and diving and a walking trail complete with futuristic sculptures.

Many thanks to all of you who helped develop the revitalisation plan with special thanks to those businesses who donated their time and skills.

Under GKI Resort control, the prior resort (now closed) was restricted primarily to paying guests. Very few areas were made available to locals as day trippers. The proposed marina and residential estate within the Clam Bay Precinct are no different and are clearly targeted at the wealthy. Mansion style villas in Clam Bay are indicated to exceed 375 square metres and the marina designed for luxury yachts between 15 and 30 metres. This development is not focused on families or the local person who wishes to enjoy a day trip to the island. Little to no detail is provided on the experiences that the ’revitalisation’ plan will provide to the local day tripper.

It is also of concern that a private company with a sole director (Mr Terry Agnew) will profit from the sale and or development of public land. This is not appropriate yet Mr Agnew will not cease to lobby or influence the government into approving his plans.

Read more on OurConcerns page to understand more about the social impacts of the proposed development.

Sorry – you’re not welcome.

Supporting

For further information, please contact us by email. Details can be found on OurContacts page.