Kangaroo Islanders prepare for legal stoush over Flinders Chase National Park luxury accommodation

A clash over a proposed Kangaroo Island development is headed for court, after opponents crowd-funded their legal fees to block the accommodation project.

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail in Flinders Chase National Park. Picture: DEWNR

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Opponents of an accommodation project in Kangaroo Island’s largest national park are poised to battle the development in court, as the state’s planning panel prepares to rule on its fate on Thursday.

A crowd-funding campaign to cover legal fees to fight the plans for Flinders Chase National Park, has generated almost $40,000 in donations.

Australian Walking Company wants to build two new “lodges”, comprising about 20 buildings, at Sanderson Bay and Sandy Creek.

The Australian Walking Company is proposing to build sleeping pods on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Picture: Australian Walking Company

Fraser Vickery, a management committee member of Kangaroo Island Eco Action, said groups opposing the company’s plans had engaged lawyers and were awaiting the planning assessment.

“People are keen to see the money used for a legal challenge – people are that angry,” Mr Vickery said.

Australian Walking Company wants to build the accommodation so it can host luxury tours along the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Islanders opposing it have raised concerns including its potential to cause environmental damage and ruin the park’s appearance.

The Sandy Creek accommodation would be 1.2km from the walking trail, requiring vegetation clearance for new pathways and roads.

“These developments are villages on the coast really – they’re not just one or two buildings,” Mr Vickery said.

In a submission to the Planning Department, the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board said the project was “not in the spirit” of accommodation envisaged when the trail was proposed.

It said it should be closer to the trail and existing campsites.

“The proposed footprint of the accommodation pods, associated buildings, and additional walking and access trails … and the increased human traffic, will have a negative impact on the fragile coastal habitat,” the board said.

Becky Westbrook with husband David and kids Jed, 8, Indi, 6, and Xavier, 3, at Sandy Beach in the Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Tom Huntley

Heath Garratt, general manager of Australian Walking Company. Picture: Tom Huntley

Kathie Stove, who co-ordinated the legal funds campaign, was “thrilled” with its result.

“The wild coast there is precious to a lot of people,” Ms Stove said.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell said groups may argue in court that the accommodation did not comply with the park’s management plan, and therefore the Government should not have consented to it being built.

“You can go and sit there and … be alone with your thoughts, and I think we’re losing so many of those places.”

Australian Walking Company general manager Heath Garratt said the project would create 30 full-time jobs.

“To date we have held 20 public and private consultations despite there being no requirement and we will continue to evolve the project until we have met every standard, regulation or other environmental compliance requirement,” Mr Garratt said.

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