Aussie Residents Outraged by Chinese Developer’s Restrictive Access of Keswick Island
Residents of Keswick Island, an island off the northeast coast of Queensland, have expressed opposition and concerns over restrictive access and mismanagement by a Chinese developer, claiming a breach in the terms of the lease.
A petition to call on the Queensland government to rescind China Bloom’s leasehold, as well as a protest that occurred on Jan. 26, are among some avenues residents have taken to express their concerns over a growing list of restricted access and activities enforced by the Chinese developer.
China Bloom, a Hong-Kong based company that was registered in 2018, took over the head lease of Keswick Island in March 2019. The company purchased a 99-year lease on 20 percent of the island, while the remaining 80 percent is owned by the Queensland government.
When state lines were being drawn up for the new Federation in 1901, the original border between NSW and Queensland would have made the Clarence River the cut-off point. Somewhere in the process it was redrafted to be around Tweed Heads and of course, the rest is history. But as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk mulls the prospect of annexing Norfolk Island from NSW, why stop there? The tourism benefits alone of controlling Norfolk Island are very much in line with the state s tourism mantra of beautiful one day, perfect the next . For the princely sum of $180-odd million, it does seem a bargain.
Keswick Island residents lobby Queensland to cancel Chinese lease27/01/2021|4min
Keswick Island residents are lobbying the Queensland government to cancel a Chinese-owned developer’s lease on the picturesque island, claiming a gross breach of agreement.
Keswick Island was recently leased to Chinese developer China Bloom who have since taken over the island, and is systematically removing the ability of residents to continue living there.
The Queensland government leases a lot of its islands making the residents subtenants.
Keswick Island residents held a protest on Australia Day along with 150 people from nearby Mackay to force the Queensland government to uphold the head lease and “get Keswick Island back to Australian ownership,” resident Craig Gillberd told Sky News.
Keswick Island boat protest backs residents over claims of Chinese firm s mismanagement
TueTuesday 26
updated
TueTuesday 26
JanJanuary 2021 at 5:13am
Keswick Island, off the coast of Mackay, was acquired by China Bloom in 2019 and is managed by the company s local agent, Greaton.
(
Share
Print text only
Cancel
Dozens of boats have taken to north Queensland s waters in opposition to a private Chinese company s management of Keswick Island off the coast of Mackay.
Originally a protest had been planned against the island s head lessee, China Bloom, which residents have accused of breaching the terms of the lease.
Key points:
Tensions between sublessees and the head lessee of Keswick Island have continued into 2021
Keswick Island protester and Mackay resident Ciaron Paterson described the day as a “peaceful show of support” for the island residents.
“We had kids playing cricket on the beach, good old sausage sizzles going on, lamingtons being shared and even iceblocks,” Mr Paterson said.
“We had thong-throwing competitions and a tug-o-war game.
“Many new friends were made and I believe the small community and homeowners of Keswick Island were very humbled to see the support of the Mackay community and afar.” A welcome sign on Keswick Island. Picture: Belinda McMahon/Stormybeachbelle
The protest was organised following claims from island residents that head lease owner China Bloom has restricted access to the island.