Campbell Newman plans to make troubled Palm Island Queensland's next tourism hotspot Palm Island is set to become the state's next tourism hotspot. Picture: Morgan Evan Source: News Limited PALM Island - once rated the most violent place on earth outside a war zone - may be the state's next tourism hotspot. Premier Campbell Newman has ordered State Cabinet help make the infamous riot township off the coast of Townsville into a popular tourist destination. The decision was prompted following Mr Newman's recent five-hour tour of the island - his first visit to the troubled community. The briefing notes, obtained exclusively by The Courier-Mail in a Right to Information request, show he felt "greatly inspired by the potential" of Palm Island after his February visit. Mr Newman instructed Cabinet to do whatever they can to "ultimately lead to better opportunities for the people of Palm Island." Palm Island is an idyllic tropical island paradise fringed by white sandy beaches, coral, and waters teeming with fish. Home to a 2000-strong Aboriginal population, the former mission is notorious for the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee and mob riots in 2004 - and a malaise of high unemployment, violence, and welfare dependency. Liam Kerr 12 enjoys some fishing off the island's main jetty. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm The RTI request revealed the strife-torn community has obtained $1.2 million for a new ferry landing. Under the Premier's support, it is earmarked for another $1.7 million to build a retail precinct, cultural zone, foreshore upgrade and eco-tourism development. "I am now asking that all ministers in the Queensland Government provide assistance where possible to support the council's plan to drive economic development," Mr Newman wrote in a letter to Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey, dated March 12 this year. I am keen for you to explore what can be delivered (perhaps consider a pilot program) within the next few years to give tourists visiting Palm Island a unique experience of its local culture and hospitality. READ MORE: Palm plan receives mixed reaction from residents OPINION: Time is right for island tourism Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey, right, wants tourists to experience authentic Australian culture. Picture: Scott Radford-chisholm Ms Stuckey said last night she had been in touch with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council to express the Government's support for economic and tourism development on the island. Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey said his council had no illusions about the difficult task to reinvent the strife-torn township. "We've got no plans to make it like Hamilton Island or Gold Coast," said Cr Lacey. We want tourists to come visit, go fishing, spear mud crabs, ride horses on the beach, do artwork, and experience the authentic Australian culture. Cr Lacey said the island was no longer the "most violent place outside a combat zone," as it was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 1998. It's time for Palm to find new feet, go on a new journey, make economic gains. Too long we've been on the taxpayer purse strings," he said. Palm Island has an average crime rate of three offences a day, latest figures show. The Queensland Police Service online crime site reveals 1018 offences - or one for every two residents - on the former mission in the past 12 months. Most offences are for liquor (222), assault (203), unlawful entry (95), drugs (86) and weapons (three). There have been five homicides, not including the infamous Mulrunji death-in-custody, out of 9241 offences over the past decade. Tourism expert Judy Freeman said it was extremely difficult to make a success out of indigenous tourism. "There are just so many obstacles," said Mrs Freeman, an indigenous tourism consultant and founder of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns. Do they really want tourists? This sort of venture can divide a community. And are there enough people to actually run the business? This is not going to be an overnight success. It needs a lot of energy and funding to keep it afloat beyond a three-year electoral cycle. Two years ago, Computershare founder Chris Morris bought nearby five-star Orpheus Island for $6.25 million. He has since spent $15 million to upgrade the luxury resort and had to buy a Cairns-based helicopter company to fly-in guests - who pay $1400 a night per couple. Palm Island, about 65km north of Townsville, can only be accessed by air or sea and is a 20-minute charter flight or two-hour ferry ride one-way from the city. Ms Stuckey said in a reply letter to the Premier on April 16 that the key catalyst for any future tourism on Palm Island was access and an application for further funding had been made to Regional Development Australia. "To allow access to Palm Island at all times, the installation of an upgraded pontoon is required," she wrote. Already substantial funding has been committed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads ($500,000), Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council ($500,000) and ferry operator SeaLink ($200,000) ... as Tourism Minister I am keen to see a favourable decision from the RDA funding application process. Once the transport issues on Palm Island have been resolved, other opportunities might then be pursued. Ms Stuckey said in the letter that they included precincts for retail and arts, as well as tourism and eco-tourism development. "I am confident work already completed will help the government and the local community to progress tourism opportunities for the Palm Island community," she said. Island delights: White sandy beaches, small bays and steep forested mountains with waters teeming with fish, crabs and lobster Palm Island arts centre with vivid artwork depicting the dugong, crocodile and spirit totems of the island's different tribal clans Visitors stay in a 11-room motel, featuring double bedrooms with ensuite, surrounded by razor-wire security fencing Coolgaree bar and bistro sells coffee and lunches and mid-strength beer from 5pm to 9pm with beautiful views over the ocean Guests are advised to follow community protocols and not roam the streets alone at night because of potential assaults or attack from packs of wild dogs Future plans $1.2 million for a new ferry landing Proposed $1.7 million to build: Retail precinct Cultural precinct, including refurbishment of the arts centre and establishment of a cultural museum Foreshore upgrade Walking tracks and low impact infrastructure for eco-tourism