Island on the Market

25
Oct

Dan Nancarrow, Brisbane Times

A 57-acre private island off the Fraser Coast is set to go to auction.

Ever dreamed of owning your own private island paradise? You’re hardly Robinson Crusoe.

But it might not be just a fantasy.

A 57-acre private island off the Fraser Coast is set to be put on the auction block this December.

The island features two renovated homes among acres of untouched trees.

Four hundred metres offshore at Toogoom, the island has been placed on the market after a $4.1 million contract agreement between title holder Brett Gunderson and short-term resident “Aussie Rob” Wilson fell through.

Boasting two renovated homes, acres of untouched trees, its own telecommunications tower and a 1100 metre air-strip, as well as a striking variety of native fauna, the as-yet-unnamed island is being auctioned as a freehold residence.

According to Ray White Mermaid Beach marketing agent Scott Wagner, it boasts more sandy shoreline than any other property in southeast Queensland.

Mr Wagner took on the challenge of selling the island, inland from Fraser Island and home to dugong habitats, red kangaroos and protected fish habitats, the last time it went on the market in 2008.

Taking over the sale again this year, he is sure he’ll receive large numbers of – variable – inquiries.

“The dream of owning an island brings everyone out of the woodwork,” he said.

“I have marketed the island before and that experience told me that unusual people own islands and even more unusual people want to own islands.

“I’ve had people from the Philippines offering the vendor $50 million in their own currency if they gave him the island, so when they turned it into their own country they’d pay him out of their own currency.

“I’ve had people who have said they are SAS in Iraq who have found a big bag of gold and said if I send them my bank account details I could buy the island out of it for them.”

The property was under contract for development with the Marriott in 2006 before the deal fell through.

With a short turnaround before the island goes on sale in December, the property will be sold as a freehold rural residence this time around.

“Previously it was marketed with development potential but we’re now looking at what we can get on the ninth of December,” he said.

“We’re selling it as a residence but if someone can maximise its development potential in the future, that’s an upside.”

Mr Wilson told the Fraser Coast Chronicle he ended the contract he had with Mr Gunderson following legal advice, prompting the island’s move back on to the market.

The financial entrepreneur had planned to turn the island into a resort.

Mr Gunderson bought the property for $1.3 million in 2003.

RECEIVERS & MANAGERS APPOINTED – 200 METRES* FROM THE BEACH

7 Kohi Court. 33 William ST MERMAID BEACH QLD 4218
Auction Date: Thursday 8th of December 2011 11:00 AM
Just 200 metres* from the beach and situated directly off Hedges Avenue is a great investment opportunity.We have two units side-by-side on the top floor of a two-storey walk up that absolutely must be sold. There are just so many opportunities here that this would suit every buyer. Buy one for yourself to live in; buy both; buy them as an investment o …

View property for sale : 7 Kohi Court. 33 William ST MERMAID BEACH QLD 4218

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