Sale of Far North Queensland's Dunk Island a prelude to resort refurbishment

Eight years after being left in ruins by Cyclone Yasi, Dunk Island in Far North Queensland is set for a multi-million-dollar refurbishment following its acquisition by new owners.

Australian-based Mayfair 101 has purchased the Island from the Queensland-based Bond family a reported $32 million and having also bought up to 200 properties in Mission Beach - about 20 minutes away from Dunk Island by boat - for around $150 million, now plans for turn the region into "Australia's tourism mecca".

James Mawhinney, Managing Director of the Mayfair 101 investment consortium has advised that  the company intends to commit $1.6 billion into the Cassowary Coast over the next 15 years.

Explaining that construction of multiple projects such as camping sites, family-style resorts and an ultra-luxury beach-club-style resort on the mainland at Mission Beach would create up to 10,000 jobs, Mawhinney told the ABC “we are delighted and humbled in being given the opportunity to restore the jewel in the crown of Far North Queensland.

"One of the things that has really been lacking, we have found there have been a lot of operators have come in and just operated individual sites.

"Some have succeeded, others have failed.

"Part of our de-risking strategy was to make sure we had a much more broader, cohesive plan."

That plan includes building a golf course, three resorts on Dunk Island and upgrading the airport at Innisfail or Dallachy (near Cardwell) to accommodate international jets.

The ABC reported that company is keen to tap into the Asian market.

Mawhinney added "Dunk Island is an iconic part of Australia's history.

"We are very mindful of this region having two world heritage-listed sites."

The vision for the region, which has struggled to get back on its feet since Cyclone Yasi in 2011, has been welcomed by the Cassowary Coast Council and local business owners.

Advising that the area continues to be impacted by Cyclone Yasi, Cassowary Coast Mayor John Kremastos commented “it has been a long, hard slog.

"Tourist numbers have been down, it has had a negative impact on the growth in our area and the confidence, so this is just a complete turnaround."

Dunk Island, which was also hit by Cyclone Larry in 2006, is divided into three parts - a national park area, a freehold area and the council-owned spit which is used for low-impact activities like camping.

Mayor Kremastos said the redeveloped resort, combined with the natural appeal of the region, would significantly boost visitor numbers from overseas, adding “it's massive, there is much capacity to bring a large number of international guests to our region.

"The Cassowary Coast is stunning, we've got not only the islands and the Great Barrier Reef, we've got our natural rainforest, waterfall trails, there's so much to do here.

"Once the word gets out we'll see a whole new invigoration in Far North Queensland."

The Mayor added the multi-million-dollar investors would need to align with the Council's planning scheme which valued eco-tourism.

He concluded “we don't want another Gold Coast or concrete jungle, we want people to appreciate the beauty of our area.”

Plans for the redevelopment will be subject to Queensland Government approvals.

Images: Dunk Island (top) and units at Dunk Island Resort showing damage suffered from Cyclone Yasi in 2011 (below, courtesy of ABC News).