Design frenzy ahead, as Chinese investor buys Capricorn Coast Resort.

5 Apr 2018

According to a report on Queensland’s The Morning Bulletin news site, the abandoned Keppel Cove Resort west of Rockhampton has been purchased by a Chinese businessman.

The 215-Hectare beachfront development at Zilzie Bay was developed by British entrepreneurs Chris and Rita Dadson but has been closed since 2014.

Situated 20 kilometres from Great Keppel Island, the resort features a rudimentary 18-hole golf course on prime seaside land, along with a clubhouse, conference and wedding facilities and a substantial residential subdivision.

As the accompanying photo showcases, aside from a bunch of short holes across ponds the abandoned golf course is essentially flat and featureless and seemingly ripe for redesign. The routing could hardly be more basic, yet there are 120 acres of land in play and clear potential given the proximity to the Capricorn coastline.

What the new owner plans for golf remains to be seen, but the selling agent has been quoted as suggesting a golf club upgrade was in the pipeline. Whether that involves change to the actual golf layout or simply the addition of a hotel is unclear.

There is golf activity planned nearby, however, with the proposed Great Keppel Island Resort Masterplan including an 18-hole resort course by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, along with an airstrip, 250-bed hotel, 250-berth marina and 1,000 luxury villas and apartments. Further north, the Chinese owners of Lindeman Island are planning a major upgrade to their development, including to the island’s 9-hole course.

Australian golf course designers are sure to be watching the region closely in coming months.

From the Morning Bulletin article

A CHINESE businessman has bought a major Capricorn Coast resort, signalling a new direction for tourism in the region.

Knight Frank Rockhampton Principal Pat O'Driscoll sold the Keppel Cove master planned mixed use tourism and residential development to Ding Zuo Hong from Jiangzu China.

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New owner Mr Ding is a respected entrepreneur and businessman in China, starting his career making fine furniture which was the commencement of his growth into various industries including tourism.

"Mr Ding was invited to visit Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast by friends for a holiday and fell in love with our region, our weather, our natural geographical beauty, clean air and water," Mr O'Driscoll said.

"He enjoyed the fishing and boating trips around Great Keppel Island and has returned to the island four times.

"Now four years later after investigating and inspecting all opportunities, his company has now completed the acquisition of Keppel Cove.

"The intention is to upgrade the golf club with hotel component and expand the resort precinct and continue to develop the residential offering over the coming years.”

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