Queensland court orders possible forfeiture of island resort leases over neglect
The Queensland Land Court ruled that Brampton Enterprises could lose its leases on Brampton Island after the resort fell into disrepair and failed to meet tourism obligations.
A Queensland Land Court decision last week declared that two leases on Brampton Island could be forfeited because Brampton Enterprises did not use the property for tourism and allowed it to deteriorate. Minister Dale Last argued that the lease explicitly required active tourism operations, which the company failed to deliver after closing the resort in 2011. The court noted severe building decay, a tidal pool being reclaimed by the sea, and inadequate management of invasive Singapore daisies.
Brampton Enterprises, associated with United Petroleum, has filed an appeal on August 24, but no hearing schedule has been announced. The minister will make the ultimate call on whether the state retakes the land. Local resident Michelle Cox recalled the resort’s former popularity, highlighting community sentiment about the decline.
Why it matters
The ruling could return a large coastal asset to the state and affect future tourism development in North Queensland.
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