An undeveloped coastal headland at the centre of a decades-long community campaign to make it a public conservation park has been sold under the noses of both sides of Queensland politics.
Taylor Point, an 18-hectare coastal property in the upmarket Cairns suburb of Trinity Beach, had been listed for sale with an $8 million price tag for more than two years.
If it won the state election, the Liberal National Party had promised to work with the Cairns Regional Council to buy the site and make it a public urban conservation area.
The beach at Taylor Point is a popular walking spot. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)
Labor MP Craig Crawford, who has described a public purchase of Taylor Point as his top priority in the fight to retain his marginal seat of Barron River, was on the verge of announcing a similar election commitment this week.
However, it has emerged that the property has been sold to a private buyer, the Macernis Group.
The group said it was “committed to protecting, repairing and preserving Taylor Point, ensuring its survival for future generations”.
Audrius Macernis, sole director of the company that was registered last month, said he had been eyeing Taylor Point since earlier this year, but that the decision to buy it was “not about financial gain”.
He said settlement on the property was due next week.
The 45-year-old Lithuanian-born inventor of security latches and fence parts said he intended to rehabilitate the property’s natural environment before allowing public access.
When the ABC visited the property on Wednesday, Mr Macernis was wearing a hi-vis vest and collecting rubbish.
The new owner has erected barriers and signage to keep visitors off the property.
Mr Macernis said he was working to rehabilitate the “scars” left by four-wheel drives and burnt-out cars.
“I think it was time for a guardian to come in and say ‘no more parties,'” he said.
“Things are changing.”
Audrius Macernis collecting rubbish at Taylor Point. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)
Quiet deal stuns major parties
The deal has taken the state government and opposition in the seat of Barron River by surprise.
The seat is often regarded as a bellwether and is held by Labor on a margin of 3.1 per cent.
If re-elected, Mr Crawford said Labor was prepared to commit $10 million to buy and restore the property should the sale fall through, or if Mr Macernis decides to sell.
He did not rule out a “nuclear option” of compulsory acquisition.
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The Labor MP said he would be prepared to offer government financial support to the Macernis Group “if they’re genuine about [conservation]”.
“We would need to find out more about who we’re dealing with,” Mr Crawford said.
Sam O’Connor, the LNP’s environment spokesman, said the sale left the community “with even more uncertainty”.
“If [the government] were serious about it, they would’ve got it happening a lot sooner,” he said.
Mr Macernis has put up signs and fencing to stop people from entering Taylor Point. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)
Mr Macernis said the property was “not for sale”.
“I have seen what the state at the moment is and I don’t believe this is the right thing to even entertain because it’s not about the money, it’s about really protecting [it],” he said.
Future development potential
The Cairns Regional Council has recently issued a development permit for operational works associated with the construction of six residential lots on the site.
However, Mr Macernis said he did not believe in dividing Taylor Point, describing it as a “diamond”.
He intends to eventually build himself a home on the land, along with visitor accommodation that is “very respectful with nature”.
Rusting, dumped and burnt out car wrecks are littered throughout the coastal property. (ABC Far North: Christopher Testa)
Mr Macernis said he would also work with environmental scientists and local volunteers to replant native species, restore habitat and stabilise the soil.
“First, I want to make sure Taylor Point is protected, repaired and preserved and whatever happens later on, I will be blessed,” he said.
“At the moment, it’s a very unhealthy state.”
