Christopher Morris, a prominent entrepreneur, has dedicated over a decade and tens of millions of dollars to breathe new life into neglected resorts in north Queensland. His significant investments include the purchase of Pelorus Island near Townsville, where he has committed upwards of $25 million to refurbishments, including solar installations and backup generators to ensure sustainability. The Queensland government has long been putting together a plan to privatise the 19-hectare Double Island. They say the right buyer will be someone with both the financial resources and management acumen to put the island back on its feet.
This decision comes in reaction to increased worries about the management of overheated island resorts. David Crisafulli, the Minister for Tourism, has called it a red alert. He warned existing operators from engaging in “land banking,” that is, sitting on choice locations without investing the capital to update or maintain them. The Department of Natural Resources has begun to send out fracking notices of default on lease agreements. This move is part of the government’s concerted attempt to redevelop the island resort industry.
A Decade of Investment
Christopher Morris bought Pelorus Island more than a decade ago, seeing untapped potential on the remote isle even in its dilapidated condition. His promise to the island has resulted in millions of dollars in capital improvements. These additions enhance its beauty and help to maintain its artistic vision while keeping it functional. He focused on the special difficulties of operating a resort on an island, saying.
“It probably costs double to run a resort on an island compared to the mainland. You’ve got no utilities. Power, water, waste — everything — has to be generated or brought in.” – Christopher Morris
Because of Morris’s investments, we now have a standard to point to for what appropriate scale and reinvestment can mean in this tough market. His experience is a reminder of the need for sustainable practice and operational preparedness within the tourism industry.
Government’s Push for Change
The Queensland government’s initiative to reclaim control over island resorts reflects a broader strategy aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector. The goal is ambitious: to double spending on tourism to $84 billion annually by 2045. At the top of this strategy, Crisafulli has focused attention on the need for responsible ownership, saying,
“These are assets that belong to the people of Queensland. I’m just not comfortable that in many cases, international corporations come in, buy the rights, sit on it, and just see an appreciation in its value.” – David Crisafulli
Crisafulli’s “use it or lose it” approach is designed to shake the complacency out of current resort owners. He noted that many recent efforts to restore island hotels have collapsed due to poor administration and undercapitalization.
“We’ve had four separate takeovers of the island and all have been failures.” – David Crisafulli
It discovered that a majority of resorts have deteriorated since profitability has greatly decreased because of expensive upkeep, cyclone destruction and lax enforcement of lease agreements. The government should sell islands such as Double Island to concerned, committed and competent investors. They’re counting on this strategy to turn the tide.
Market Interest and Future Prospects
The real estate market for island resorts is very hot right now with intense competition from different types of would be buyers. One of the brokers who specialized in selling tropical islands, Hayley Manville, became a notable name in the field herself, selling Long Island and Daydream Island. She notes that interest in Double Island is currently at an all-time high.
“You get a mix [of potential buyers] — billionaires, high-net-worth individuals, offshore investors from Singapore and Dubai, even not-for-profits looking to turn an island into a wellness retreat or rehab centre,” – Hayley Manville
She warned that while interest is widespread, all requests don’t necessarily turn into competitive bids.
“We get a lot of inquiries, but a lot of people mix up ambition and ability.” – Hayley Manville
Manville further testified to the danger of the growing flood of unqualified buyers coming into the market, saying flat out,
“We get a lot of con artists.” – Hayley Manville
Adrian Hayne, a community member on Keswick Island, argued passionately for the need to maintain access to the islands for all Australians. He noted how disruptive lack of access has made everyday life for King County residents and anyone trying to visit or work in the region.
“Selling the islands is one thing, but making sure things get done is a whole other ball game.” – Mr Hayne
