Court rules tropical island owner can be stripped of lease
Despite plans to build new facilities, the Queensland Land Court finds Brampton Island resort is "dilapidated to the point of falling down" with the owners in breach of lease conditions.
A Queensland Land Court decision has allowed an Australian company to potentially forfeit its leases for a derelict island resort. Brampton Enterprises, linked to United Petroleum, owned the 14-hectare island, located 35 kilometres north-east of Mackay, from 2010 to 2011. Despite plans for new facilities, the resort fell into disrepair, with the tidal rock pool reclaimed by the sea.
Natural Resources Minister Dale Last ruled the company breached lease conditions by not using the land for tourism and failing to maintain the buildings. The company has appealed the decision, but a hearing date has not been set. An Australian company will also appeal the ruling. Brampton Island, once a popular tourist destination with up to 220 guests, had a golf course and airstrip. The island is now likely to be taken over by nature.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
