Kangaroo Island businesses urged to jump on board with Australian Walking Company’s accommodation project
A Kangaroo Island business group says local companies have a huge opportunity now the $4.8 million Flinders Chase accommodation project has been approved, and they should involve themselves with it.
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Kangaroo Island companies should move to capitalise on Australian Walking Company’s $4.8 million Kangaroo Island accommodation project, a local business association says.
KI Tourism, Food, Wine and Beverage Association chairman Pierre Gregor said the project at Flinders Chase National Park would deliver opportunities for a range of local businesses, including tradies, transport providers and food and wine companies.
Australian Walking Company plans to build new accommodation at Sandy Creek and Sanderson Bay, and refurbish the State Government-owned former lighthouse keepers’ cottages at Cape du Couedic.
The accommodation will cater for walkers on the business’s high-end tours of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.
The State Commission Assessment Panel approved the plans last month and the Native Vegetation Council signed off the vegetation clearance required for the project last week.
“Now that the development has been given final approval, local businesses should capitalise on the opportunities presented,” Mr Gregor said.
He said the project would cater for “young and not so young” adventure seekers who wanted comfortable lodgings while tackling the 61km trail.
The project has met with harsh criticism from some locals since the company announced its plans.
Among their criticisms are fears it will destroy habitat for vulnerable animal species and compromise the appeal of the island’s secluded coastline.
Kangaroo Island Eco Action is leading plans to appeal against the development’s approval in court.
But Australian Walking Company general manager Heath Garratt said his business would work with local companies to ensure the project benefited the island.
“Our four-day guided walking experience will also offer guide training opportunities for local residents to become environmental interpreters,” Mr Garratt said.
Kangaroo Island commissioner Wendy Campana said she was keen to help Australian Walking Company link up with local businesses to “start the conversation about contracts and job opportunities”.
Friends of Parks KI Western Districts publicity officer Bev Maxwell said concern about the project was widespread.
“It’s very easy to paint people who disagree as disaffected NIMBYS or Greenies … but we’re talking about people who own businesses, work in the hospitality industry or who have volunteered in Flinders Chase or other parks and given a huge amount of time and effort and love their parks,” Ms Maxwell said.
michelle.etheridge@news.com.au