Chapter 1163 Snakes (1/2)
Li Du had previously estimated that the island covered an area of approximately 50 to 60 square kilometers. In reality, the territory turned out to be larger. The island spanned a total of 88 square kilometers and was medium-sized.
However, even for that size, the price was still considered very high.
On one of the island listing websites, there had been an island that spanned 250 square kilometers. It was for sale at 150 million.
At first, Li Du had his doubts. Why was he buying a smaller island in a less central location at a higher price?
The governor had responded to his questions. First, that island he saw listed, Basel Island, was barren. Hence, despite its considerably large territory, nobody was willing to purchase it even though it had been listed for ten years.
Second, that list price was from ten years ago. The government would have to re-evaluate the price if someone wanted to purchase it now. It would cost at least 300 million Australian dollars.
However, it seemed to them that Basel Island would not be sold off anytime soon. Although it had been priced at 150 million, nobody had even made a purchase inquiry. Hence, it was unlikely they would increase the price to three hundred million.
Besides, the island that Li Du purchased did not have that bad of a location.
It was southeast of Australia. Although it was very, very far from Antarctica, it was the only major island en route to the Antarctic waters. Hence, the island had the potential to become one of the major stops for people heading towards the Antarctic.
Many of the leading countries in the world had been trying to develop Antarctica. Every year, countless scientific research ships were sent to the Antarctic. Due to the climate of the Antarctic, its geography, and many other factors, ships would have to go through designated routes to arrive at the southernmost continent.
Among all the routes, two approached the Antarctic from the west. One began from Cape Town in South Africa and led to Mount Bouvier. Then, it entered the continent from Port Elizabeth through Prince Edward Island.
If someone did not take the New Zealand or Australian route towards the Antarctic, they would travel from Hobart and then through the Macquarie Island.
Seagull Island was northeast of Hobart. Ships would have to pass the island to reach Hobart. Hence, if Li Du could develop the island, the routes might be changed. The ships would not have to take a detour to Hobart to get to Antarctica, which would save time.
However, that plan could only be put into action a long time from now. Li Du's priority was to develop the island for its opals.
His plan would require another huge sum of money. The city closest to Seagull Island, Herrick City, was hundreds of kilometers away. To replenish his resources, Li Du would need to use airplanes and ships on a regular basis.
Li Du's Mil Mi-8 would be sufficient for flights. However, he now needed a cargo ship to transport some of the construction materials.
That was what he had negotiated for with Tasmania. He had requested that they give him support.
Brusno had agreed and mobilized a thousand-ton cargo ship for Li Du to use. For the next year, Li Du would be able to use it without paying a fee.
The Tasmanian and Australian governments were happy to support Li Du in developing the island. They needed a success story. While the real estate industry was thriving, the island trading market remained neglected.
In the 20th century through the start of the 21st century, the island trading market had been robust. Many rich people were interested in islands and wanted to own one.
Later, along with the Mexican financial crisis, the Asian financial crisis, and the US subprime mortgage crisis, rich people became more cautious and careful with their money. Hence, the island trading market started to cool.
Seagull Island was the largest to have been sold for the past ten years in the entire world. It was also sold for the highest price. Naturally, it would become an ideal case study for others.