Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The...

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Artist’s impression of the accomodation at Sandy Creek The State Government has selected the Australian Walking Company (AWC) to build eco- sensitive accommodation on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The project will create 30 full-time equivalent jobs and is supported by a State Government Future Jobs Fund grant. Two eco-sensitive wilderness lodges, accommodating up to 14 guests, have been designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The lodges will have earthy-tones, timber joinery and locally sourced artwork. The AWC will engage local expertise and resources to build the lodges, which will have minimal impact on the environment. The lodges will provide an alternative to the bush-camping facilities already available on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The $4.8m development will complete this exceptional, world-class, nature-based tourism attraction. Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail Eco-sensitive accommodation

Transcript of Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The...

Page 1: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The company plans to use innovative best practice environmental technologies to preserve

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EXTERNAL ELEVATIONS / VIEWS

Artist’s impression of the accomodation at Sandy Creek

The State Government has selected the Australian Walking Company (AWC) to build eco-sensitive accommodation on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. The project will create 30 full-time equivalent jobs and is supported by a State Government Future Jobs Fund grant.

Two eco-sensitive wilderness lodges, accommodating up

to 14 guests, have been designed to blend seamlessly

into the landscape. The lodges will have earthy-tones,

timber joinery and locally sourced artwork.

The AWC will engage local expertise and resources to

build the lodges, which will have minimal impact on

the environment. The lodges will provide an alternative

to the bush-camping facilities already available on the

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

The $4.8m development will complete this exceptional,

world-class, nature-based tourism attraction.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail Eco-sensitive accommodation

Page 2: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The company plans to use innovative best practice environmental technologies to preserve

Project backgroundThe AWC was chosen after the State Government called for Expressions of Interest in 2017, and then requested a proposal, to develop accommodation facilities and services associated with the trail.

In early 2018 the AWC revealed its proposal to build eco-sensitive lodges at two sites along the trail within Flinders Chase National Park, and to also renovate and operate the historic Lighthouse Keepers’ cottages at Cape Du Couedic, as part of its accommodation package.

The company has worked with the Department for Environment and Water to develop a proposal consistent with the State Government’s Eco-tourism policy objectives.

The AWC lodged a Development Application with the State Commission Assessment Panel in November 2018, and held an information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after.

The company plans to use innovative best practice environmental technologies to preserve the local ecology and intends to offer an immersive and fully-guided walking experience in Flinders Chase National Park from late 2019.

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$4.8minvestment

30jobsfull-time equivalent

Benefits to the local community:

local

2eco-sensitive

lodgesnew

Page 3: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The company plans to use innovative best practice environmental technologies to preserve

Who is the Australian Walking CompanyThe Australian Walking Company (AWC) was formed in August 2015 and brings together the expertise of award-winning market leader Tasmanian Walking Company (TWC), and owners Geoff Dixon, Brett Godfrey, Rob Sherrard and Scott Malcolm. The company aims to have a positive impact on the local environment and community, engaging in relevant environmental, conservation and community projects.

The consortium has 30 years’ experience operating high quality, multi-day wilderness walks, including the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Wineglass Bay Sail Walk and Three Capes Lodge Walk.

AWC’s partner TWC is a recognised leader in environmental tourism practices winning numerous national tourism awards. Earlier this year TWC was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Qantas National Tourism Awards as Australia’s best eco-tourism operator for the third year running.

www.australianwalkingcompany.com.au

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Page 4: Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail · information session on Kangaroo Island shortly after. The company plans to use innovative best practice environmental technologies to preserve

Flinders ChaseNational ParkVisitor Centre

FLINDERS CHASENATIONAL PARK

SnakeLagoon

MaupertuisBay

CAPE BOUGUERWILDERNESS PROTECTION AREA

Kelly Hill Conservation Park

Remarkable Rocks

AdmiralsArch

Cape du Couedic

SouthernOcean

SandersonBay

HansonBay

CapeYounghusband

KirkpatrickPoint

WeirsCove

Southern Ocean

Cape Bouguer

Kelly HillCaves

toKi

ngsc

ote

to Kingscote

Grassdale

0 2.5 5

kilometres

SandyCreek

WesternKangaroo Island

Marine Park

Flinders ChaseNational ParkVisitor Centre

FLINDERS CHASENATIONAL PARK

SnakeLagoon

MaupertuisBay

CAPE BOUGUERWILDERNESS PROTECTION AREA

Kelly Hill Conservation Park

Remarkable Rocks

AdmiralsArch

Cape du Couedic

SouthernOcean

SandersonBay

HansonBay

CapeYounghusband

KirkpatrickPoint

WeirsCove

Southern Ocean

Cape Bouguer

Kelly HillCaves

toKi

ngsc

ote

to Kingscote

Grassdale

0 2.5 5

kilometres

SandyCreek

WesternKangaroo Island

Marine Park

Banksia Campsite

Hakea Campsite

Existing campsiteWilderness Trail Proposed development

Use of existing heritage facilities

Lodge location

Lodge location

Cup Gums Campsite

Development locations

www.parks.sa.gov.auwww.environment.sa.gov.au

Frequently asked questionsHow will the accommodation be eco-sensitive?

The lodges at Sandy Creek and Sanderson Bay will have:

• Off-grid power – solar panels and battery storage

• Rainwater tanks

• Natural ventilation

• Low volume/high pressure showers and low volume flush toilets

• Greywater treated on site

• Sewage removed from site

• Waste will be sorted, separated and removed from site

• Low-toxicity, natural materials.

How will environmental impacts be minimalised?

• Small building footprint

• Buildings sited around natural features, preserving natural drainage and vegetation

• Prefabricated, lightweight, modular design.

Will park visitors be affected?

The AWC’s eco-sensitive accommodation will be located away from the wilderness trail, and will not be visible to walkers.

There will be no impact on independent walkers, who will continue to enjoy access to the trail and associated camping facilities.

Commercial Tourism Operators (CTOs) offering services along the trail, such as guiding, baggage transfer or accommodation, will continue to operate as usual.

What is the lodge construction timeline?

The timeline is subject to development approvals.

Lodge access tracks February to April 2019

Lodge construction March to August 2019

Cape du Couedic cottage renovations April to June 2019

Open for business Bookings from January 2019 Walks departing from late 2019

For further information

Mike Greig Department for Environment and Water Phone: (08) 8553 4402 Email: [email protected]

Kirsty Aitken Australian Walking Company Email: [email protected]

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