Conflict Group
The Conflict Islands (also Conflict Group) is an Atoll in the Coral Sea. Politically they belong to the province of Milne Bay in the south east of Papua New Guinea. They are 150 km (93 mi) east of Alotau in the Louisiade Archipelago located between the Engineer Group to the west and the Deboyne Islands to the east.
The Conflict Islands Atoll forms a pear-shaped reef formation of 10 km (6 mi) by 22 km (14 mi), enclosing a massive central lagoon within the fringing reef, 18 km2 (7 sq mi) in size. There are three main passages that connect the lagoon with the surrounding waters of the north-eastern Coral Sea — the largest of these, known as Ship Pass, is found on the south-western side. Around the reef perimeter are found 19 islands varying in size from less than 1 hectare to the largest at 97 ha (240 acres); and two islets found within the lagoon centre, Quesal and Itamarina. The total land area is 3.75 km2 (1.45 sq mi) or 925 acres (374 ha). The third largest island, Panasesa 63.5 ha (157 acres) currently accommodates a resort comprising 6 bungalows with ensuites, main club house, diving and fishing centre and a 650 metres (2,133 ft) runway.
History
The Conflicts Islands were first charted in 1879 by Captain Bruce of H.M.S. Cormorant, but they weren't named until 1880 after H.M.S. Conflict by Lieutenant Bower. The ship first sighted the islands in moonlight, and the ship passed east to west along the southern end of the Conflict Islands.
In 1895 Henry Alexander Wickham was granted a lease of the uninhabited islands, which he turned into a copra plantation, and attempted to farm sea sponges, beche de mer and pearls.
Ownership
The Conflict Islands are owned by international entrepreneur Ian Gowrie-Smith. His company Archdale Pty Ltd, a Papua New Guinea company, holds all the shares in the companies that own the islands under freehold title. The 21 islands of the Conflict Group are divided into nine Papua New Guinea companies owning approximately 2 islands each. Freehold land is extremely rare in the South Pacific, and only some 3% of the land of Papua New Guinea is in private hands; privately held under 99-year state lease, or it is held by the State.
Development
Gowrie-Smith has been widely reported in media seeking a joint venture partner to help develop the atoll, and/or sell individual island to private owners. His goal is to create and exclusive private residence community similar to that created at Mustique Island, where private luxury villas are owned by the likes of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, US designer Tommy Hilfiger and a host of others.
Coordinates: 10°46′S 151°47′E / 10.767°S 151.783°E
External links
- Panasesa Resort, The Conflict Islands
- Images of the Conflict Islands
- Conflict Islands listed as Potential World Heritage Site, Milne Bay Seascape (Pacific Jewels of Marine Biodiversity) UNESCO , World Heritage Centre
- Papua New Guinea: Conflict of Interest, The National (Arab Emirates) May 25, 2014
- ABC Radio National, Interview with Ian Gowrie-Smith, May 6 2014
- A pristine wilderness and 'Jewel of the Pacific, Neville Togarewa, PNG Edge, April 16 2014
- No conflict of interest, Wealth Creator Magazine, Issue 63, Mar/Apr 2014
- Conflict Islands - Papua New Guinea – YouTube Video, Mar 28, 2014
- Conflict Islands Lodge – PNG, Nomads Sportsfishing, March 2014
- Radio National Australia, Interview with Ian Gowrie-Smith, 3 Feb 2014
- Conflict of Interest, Make an Offer, Australian Financial Review 13 January, 2014
- Islands cheaper than Sydney homes, Australian Financial Review, Jan 13, 2014
- Why buying an island in PNG might be a smart business move, Business Review Weekly, Jan 13, 2014
- Investor Offloads Island Paradise, The Australian Newspaper December 6th, 2013
- Melanesia’s Unexplored Conflicts, Sportdiving Magazine, Aug/Sept 2012
- Conflict Island Group, PNG – back in the water again! June 22, 2012
- My Seven: The World's Best Diving Spots, David Doubilet, National Geographic Magazine, January 2004
- Atoll Area, Depth and Rainfall
- Social Evaluation Study for the Milne Bay Community-Based Coastal and Marine Conservation Program, Jeff Kinch, April 2001
- Lev Grossman (29 February 2008) Rubber, Sold , TIME (accessed March 13, 2010)
- Oceandots.com: Conflict Islands (Conflict Group