Green Island Resort wins Queensland Hotel Association Award for Environmental Excellence

7th of June 2024

Congratulations Green Island Resort!

From employing solar energy on a rainforest covered island to innovative waste management practices turning food waste into organic fertiliser, Green Island Resort has taken out top honours for “Best Environment and Energy Efficiency Practise” in the 2024 Queensland Hotel Association Awards for Excellence. 

“This award recognises Green Island Resort’s long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental practises while delivering an exceptional guest experience in a very unique location,” said Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director.

As a 46-room boutique eco resort, Green Island Resort's commitment to minimising environmental impact extends beyond its accommodation on this popular Great Barrier Reef island. This includes providing sustainable off-grid essential services such as tertiary sewage treatment, desalination and power plants to service the island’s other facilities, and public facilities for day visitors. 

Accepting the award at the gala presentation in Brisbane, Green Island Resort General Manager Sue O’Donnell said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award. We work and live in an amazing World Heritage environment and are very proud of what we do to protect this very special place for now and future generations.”

Being a rainforest-covered island, implementing solar power presented challenges however this is now successfully generating up to one-quarter of all island energy needs and has allowed us to downsize and reduce demand for diesel generated power.

“We offer our guests ‘back-of-house’ tours and they are blown away with the infrastructure in such a small footprint and also with our diligence to waste management. Guests can even take a sample bag of our “Green Island Green Thumb Organic Fertiliser” produced by the food digester.”

Our staff have championed many innovative initiatives including upcycling salvaged timber decking and turning it into a breakfast bar, buffet servery and shelving in the Restaurant bar. 

In so many ways, from new generation power technologies, waste practices and guest engagement activities, everyone contributes to ensure we’re following best practice and this award is testament to our staff dedication.”

Green Island Resort will now represent Queensland in the Australian Hotel Industry Awards to be held in November 2024.

Pictured Left to right: Felecia and Dave Salmond - Engineering Manager,  Sue O'Donnell - Green Island Resort General Manager, Des Croft, Michael Healy MP - Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport.