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Makepeace Island

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Virgin resort under way on Makepeace Island, Noosa, By Lou Robson - 13th January 2008
(Credit: The Sunday Mail)

It has taken four years, but at last work has started on Richard Branson's $4 million island staff resort in the Noosa River.

A large Queenslander house and artist's studio on the heart-shaped Makepeace Island are being converted into a five-star Balinese-style getaway for Virgin staff after Noosa Council gave the go-ahead.

The flamboyant Virgin boss bought the property, the only freehold in the Noosa River, for $2.86 million in 2003. The eco-resort will include pavilion-style accommodation, a lagoon pool and bar, tennis courts and media room.

Noosa Council environment and planning chairman Russell Green said the ritzy development was in keeping with Sir Richard's trademark style.

"Sir Richard is known to like the finer things in life, and I think we can safely say the staff resort will reflect that," he said, adding the council was "very happy with the final plans". Mr Green said he spoke with the British billionaire, who bought the island as a thank you to his 2500 Australian staff and 50,000 international employees, in Noosa in December.

"I actually ran into Sir Richard in the men's room at Bistro C (restaurant) at Christmas. He told me how much he loves coming to Noosa, and how excited he is about the Makepeace project."

Mr Green said initial plans for the island needed to be revised due to environmental concerns.

Council recommendations met by Queensland development management company VMR International, in charge of the project, included the relocation of some buildings to save large bluegums and a review of the effluent disposal system.

"I think at first there were plans for a country club and heli-pad and we said, 'Not going to happen'," Mr Green said.

Seventeen mature eucalypts will be cut down to make way for the resort, which will include a Balinese-style main long house, a dining area and bar, two-storey kitchen, large lagoon pool and two-storey pool pavilion, barbecue area, three single-storey pavilion-style bedroom wings and a boat house.

Once construction is complete, a strict weed management and vegetation rehabilitation plan will be put in place to ensure the island ecosystem is well maintained.

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