Island life off to court By JONATHON HOWARD THE marketing manager for Makepeace Island, which is partly owned by Sir Richard Branson, has revealed the retreat wants to attract individual room rental as opposed to hiring the whole island. The company is preparing court action against the Noosa Council in the Planning and Environment Court next year and does not believe it is in breach of its current ‘conditions of operation’. Makepeace Island marketing manager Kirsty Aitken said Makepeace Island currently has the ability to rent the island as a whole for 20 guests. “We have done so for over three years bringing guests from around the world to experience Noosa,” she said. “There will be no new development or intensification of the current infrastructure and we do not want to increase the number of overnight guests. “Our vision is to simply
rent the current rooms individually under the same conditions we currently have.” Ms Aitken said individual room rental would allow Makepeace Island to operate as an intimate boutique retreat catering for couples or families who would like to stay in a two bedroom villa or room rather than hiring the whole island. “This is the only change we are requesting and therefore we do not believe our current conditions of operation should be changed,” she said. Ms Aitken said if the move gets the green light, following the court hearing in March 2015, it could mean cheaper nightly room rates. “Yes guests wanting to experience Makepeace Island will be able to do so hiring a villa or room only which will be more affordable than hiring the entire island,” she said. Makepeace Island currently offers an exclusive sole use booking basis and only lets the entire island to one booking at a time, whether that be
INBRIEF Life saving funds flow in FOUR Wide Bay Surf Lifesaving Clubs will receive a $25,000 funding boost over the next five years, to prevent drownings at local beaches, Federal Wide Bay MP Warren Truss announced. “The funding will assist Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Clubs to purchase new rescue equipment, first aid and medical supplies so our life-savers can continue to save lives,” Mr Truss said. SLSA’s Coastal Drowning Report identified 121 coastal drowning deaths in Australia in 2013.
Culture central Makepeace Island is situated up the Noosa River past Tewantin. one up to a maximum of 20 guests. Makepeace Island was bought in 2007 and completed in 2009 as a Balinese-style private retreat for family and friends of Sir Richard and Virgin Blue Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey. It was approved as a private four-bedroom building, and three two-bedroom bungalows later opened to rent as an entire island for $3250 a night for groups up to 20.
Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin and Makepeace Island partner Brett Godfrey want individual accommodation options on their island.
BCC NOOSA Cinemas has announced another exciting season of the Metropolitan Opera as well as continuing the much loved Art Exhibition on Screen performances. Exhibition on Screen will give audiences the unique opportunity to visit the must-see Rembrandt from the National Gallery London and Rijkmuseum Amsterdam from 20 December. The following sessions are includes: The Barber of Seville Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February. Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February. Check Noosa Today for more session times or phone BCC Noosa Cinemas on (07) 5447 5130.
Colour Me Christmas
Clutch bag - $59.95 Hot / cold drink bottles $39.95
Mariana earrings - a special gift.
Pineapple mugs $9.95
These bad boys are back! Limited stock.
Lalo keyrings
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Thursday, 11 December, 2014 | NOOSA TODAY 7