Kangaroo Island lodge opponents face an uphill battle, as State Commission Assessment Panel report recommends approval

Three accommodation projects in Flinders Chase National Park are likely to be approved. Those who’ve fought the plans so far are hoping their defense of the environment hasn’t been in vain.

• $4 million Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail accommodation planned
• KI residents protest plans for lodge accommodation at Flinders Chase
• Kangaroo Island port plans show risk of damaging whales’ hearing
• Smith Bay seaport proposal should be abandoned, KI Council says

A contentious plan for new accommodation in Flinders Chase National Park looks set to be approved – much to the ire of locals trying to protect the sensitive environment.

The State Commission Assessment Panel will on Thursday assess Australian Walking Company’s plans for two new lodge developments, along with a bid to upgrade historic former lighthouse keeper’s cottages.

A report to the panel recommends all three elements of the plans be approved.

Kangaroo Island’s three Friends of Parks groups have downed their tools in protest over the plans, which responded to a State Government call for expressions of interest from businesses interested in developing accommodation in the area.

Colin Wilson, vice president of the Western Districts group, based at Flinders Chase, was disappointed the group’s fight against the $4 million plan, may have been in vain.

However, he said if the plans won approval, the Friends would regroup to work out how to continue their battle.

“If people can come and start building accommodation in remote areas of Flinders Chase, then nothing is sacred,” Mr Wilson said.

“There’s a lot of people from groups around the state that are very concerned about what this particular one means.”

New accommodation in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, is likely to win development approval tomorrow. Picture: Supplied

Australian Walking Company wants to build lodges at Sandy Creek and Sanderson Bay, and upgrade the State Heritage-listed Cape du Couedic Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages.

The plan would capitalise on the already popular Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail – a 61km track, which opened in 2016.

The Friends group was not against accommodation along the trail, but Mr Wilson said Australian Walking Company had selected sensitive locations on “prominent, exposed, pristine headlands”.

The developments would threaten vulnerable flora and fauna species, such as orchids, sea eagles, ospreys, hooded plovers and the Kangaroo Island dunnart, he said.

Becky Westbrook with husband David and children Jed, 9, Indi, 6, and Xavier, 3, at Sandy Beach in the Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Tom Huntley

Members were also worried about the lodges’ large footprints, including a road stretching up to 3km to reach the Sandy Creek site.

Mr Wilson was disappointed the planning panel would consider the project before the completion of a Native Vegetation Council report on the sites.

Resident Becky Westbrook, who runs tours in the park, also regularly camps there with her husband David and children Jed, 9, Indi, 6 and Xavier, 3.

Mrs Westbrook it would be “a very sad day” if the plans went ahead.

“People come here to see nature and the wild headlands,” Mrs Westbrook said.

“Everyone can see what’s happening, as the world gets more populated and these places get fewer and fewer.”

“You can go anywhere else and see buildings on headlands.”

Mrs Westbrook said Australian Walking Company’s plans would benefit only wealthy walkers.

“If this gets approved, the wealthy people that can afford it, will be sitting in these cabins while everyone else that hikes down there will be looking at the cabins,” she said.

The company’s general manager Heath Garratt said the accommodation would cover less than half the footprint of the park’s campsites.

“The site selection process followed extensive consultation with experts including local ecologists,” Mr Garratt said. He said it was based on minimising excessive vegetation clearance and erosion, sheltering against weather and avoiding visibility from the wilderness trail.

“Australian Walking Company is a recognised leader in environmental travel practices,” Mr Garratt said.

[e-mail]