Sir Richard Branson seeks the $850 a night democratisation of his Noosa getaway, Makepeace Island
Sir Richard Branson wants to open his mostly private Australian retreat to cheaper guests with plans before council seeking to turn the island into an $850 a night boutique hotel.
Guests can currently only stay on Makepeace Island if they book out the whole island at $8000 plus a night and at $16,500 peak season.
Under the plan - subject to Sunshine Coast Council approval - guests could pay around $850 per person a night with a minimum three-night stay.
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Branson opened his private retreat to the luxury holiday market in early 2011 for well-heeled travellers.
Many of the island’s visitors have been well-known names who choose to holiday there to escape the pressures of fame.
Branson, along with Virgin Blue executives Brett Godfrey and former colleague Rob Sherrard, had bought the heart-shaped island for $2.86 million in 2007.
Guests travel to and from the island by riverboat, and it contains a host of facilities, such as an outdoor cinema and a full-sized tennis court, to keep them occupied.
It been available to rent for up to 22 guests.
There is a main house, three two-bedroom villas and a four-bedroom guest house. It has a boathouse, lagoon pool and a 15-person spa.
When he initially bought Makepeace there were suggestions it could be available to his hardworking airline crew as a a reward for their endeavours.
But council regulations proved cumbersome in that aim.
"When neither Brett nor myself are visiting Makepeace, we will make the island and its facilities available for others to enjoy the tranquillity of what is a very special place,” he said when announcing Makepeace island would be available to rent to limited paying guests.
This week Branson told News Ltd papers he wanted to make the island accessible to more people.
"We'd like couples to be able to book the island rather than just people who can afford to take the island as a whole,'' he said.
The syndicate has spent more than $7 million on the property, giving it "the look and feel of a Balinese resort."Under the $850 a person per night plan the price will include meals and transfers, but alcohol will be extra.
The big test for the proposed changes is regarding water treatment on the island.
"Based on the calculated peak hydraulic loading of 2,700L/day (14EP) and the minimum required land application area of 540m2, no change to the existing infrastructure in relation to sizing is considered necessary," Branson's consultant, Future Plus Environmental suggests.
"Provided the on-site sewerage facility is maintained in accordance with the recommendations provided in the Site and Soil Evaluation Report (ref no. 2771- 02) and operation and maintenance manual, there will be minimal risk of impact to the site and surrounding areas," the report says.
"Makepeace Island is my home when I come to Australia,'' Branson told News Ltd's national travel reporter, Angela Saurine.
"Love Noosa, love that part of Australia,' he said.
