Great Keppell to get wrecked – officially
ROCKHAMPTON – – Staff are to be laid off and holidays refunded after the operators of Queensland’s Great Keppel Island announced the tourist resort would be demolished and rebuilt.
The Great Keppel Island Resort, 12km off Queensland’s central coast in Australia, will close to the public on February 25, its owners said yesterday.
Research presented to senior management showed that many people still view Great Keppel as a party island and that the tagline “Get Wrecked on Keppel” still resonates, said a spokeswoman.
Great Keppel Island spans more than 1400 hectares and includes 17 beaches and has an abundance of natural features.
The existing resort, opened in 1967, will be demolished. The future plans will be to create “something unique, luxurious and truly special”.
“Resort owners had been planning a significant renovation to the existing resort but today announced that a refurbishment wouldn’t do the island justice and that a complete rebuild of a new luxury resort was the only way to move forward,” management said in a statement.
Construction on the new resort is expected to begin in early 2009.
“Holidaymakers with existing bookings will receive full refunds or offered an alternative holiday option at a resort of similar quality to Great Keppel Island,” the statement said.
Ian Jarrett
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