Controversial Kangaroo Island accommodation plan wins development approval

A contentious plan for high-end accommodation on Kangaroo Island has won planning approval — but its opponents will keep fighting to save their precious park.

The Australian Walking Company wants to build “sleeping pods” near the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail as part of a $4 million accommodation plan. Picture: Australian Walking Company

• KI lodges to plug gap in ‘premium’ experience
• Groups prepare for legal fight over national park accommodation
• Public shut out of ruling over accommodation plan

Australian Walking Company’s controversial plans for new high-end accommodation on Kangaroo Island have won development approval.

The State Commission Assessment Panel has given the $4 million project the green light.

The company’s plans include new “lodges”, with a total of about 20 buildings, featuring common areas and “sleeping pods” at Sanderson Bay and Sandy Creek.

It will also upgrade State Heritage-listed former lighthouse keepers’ cottages at Cape du Couedic.

Some of the “sleeping pods” would overlook Sanderson Bay. Pictures: Australian Walking Company

The panel’s approval is a major step towards the proposal becoming a reality, but it will still need approval from the Native Vegetation Council to go ahead.

Fraser Vickery, of Kangaroo Island Eco-Action, said his group and other locals were disappointed, but still hoped to block the development.

Kangaroo Island groups have crowd-funded almost $40,000 for legal fees to stop the works.

“Eco-Action is seeking further legal advice in terms of the options available to us, which may include the commencement of proceedings in court,” Mr Vickery said.

“Members are also considering direct action to stop the destruction of this magnificent national park.

“The fight to protect this park continues 100 years after its original protection by farsighted individuals.”

All of the accommodation would be used for hikers taking on the 61km Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, which opened in 2016.

The company wants to run luxury tours on the trail, and already leads similar walks in national parks in Tasmania and Victoria, including along the popular Overland Track in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair. It charges up to $4000 for a six-day Cradle Mountain tour.

Eco-Action, Friends of Parks groups and a swath of locals have raised concerns about the project, mostly centring on its potential to damage the environment, along with the national park’s visual appeal and ambience.

They say vegetation clearance to make way for the accommodation and new roads and walking paths to service it, will destroy habitat for vulnerable flora and fauna species, such as orchids, sea eagles, ospreys, hooded plovers and the Kangaroo Island dunnart.

Australian Walking Company’s general manager, Heath Garratt, said it was too early to say when construction work might start.

“This is another important milestone in delivering a world class tourism experience that South Australia will be proud of,” Mr Garratt said.

“Australian Walking Company will continue to follow due process in obtaining the remaining approvals including working with local community to ensure this experience reaches its full potential and adds significant benefit to the Kangaroo Island offering.”

Greens MLC Mark Parnell, who has campaigned against the project, said its approval would “offend and appal” conservationists across the state.

“Conservationists have consistently called for these developments to be located away from the wilderness coast and closer to existing camping areas and existing access tracks,” Mr Parnell said.

The public was not invited to give written or verbal submissions during the planning assessment, because of the project’s development category.

“When it comes to protecting the environment, the planning system is stacked against the community and in favour of private developers,” Mr Parnell said.

During a discussion on the project last month, the panel’s presiding member Simone Fogarty said it was “unfortunate” the public was excluded.

Mr Parnell said the project would also need the Federal Environment Department’s approval because there were 47 nationally-listed threatened species in the area.