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Fight to stop tourism development plan in Kangaroo Island’s Flinders Chase heads to state’s top court

SA’s highest court will be asked to decide the fate of a controversial tourism development approved for a pristine national park on Kangaroo Island.

Locals rally to protect Kangaroo Island

A legal battle over a controversial tourism development on Kangaroo Island is headed straight to South Australia’s highest court.

Kangaroo Island Eco-Action has launched Supreme Court action opposing the State Government’s approval of a $4 million accommodation project in Flinders Chase National Park.

The Australian Walking Company plan, signed off by the Native Vegetation Council in July, includes about 20 new buildings at Sandy Creek and Sanderson Bay.

It will feature two “eco-sensitive” lodges, individual two-person sleeping pods and an upgrade of the state heritage-listed former lighthouse keepers’ cottages at Cape du Couedic.

The Australian Walking Company plans to build sleeping pods to service high-end walking tours along the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Pictures: Australian Walking Company
The Australian Walking Company plans to build sleeping pods to service high-end walking tours along the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Pictures: Australian Walking Company

All sites would be used by walkers taking part in high-end guided tours of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.

Conservation groups and locals who oppose the development say they the Environment Department is privatising the national park without proper consultation.

Fraser Vickery, of Kangaroo Island Eco-Action, previously said his group and others had crowdfunded almost $40,000 for legal fees to stop the development.

The group — and defendants the State Planning Commission, Australian Walking Company, Native Vegetation Council, Kangaroo Island Lodge Walk and Tasmanian Walking Company — appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Lawyers for all parties agreed to send the case straight to the Full Court of the Supreme Court, where it will be heard by three judges in February next year.

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

Australian Walking Company general manager Heath Garratt previously said the development would create a “$4.8 million world-class tourism experience” on the Wilderness Trail.

“Australian Walking Company is a recognised leader in environmentally sustainable travel practices with more than 30 years’ proven experience in delivering award-winning guided walks within national parks,” Mr Garratt said.

“Australian Walking Company will continue to work with the community to ensure this experience reaches its full potential, bringing significant benefits to Kangaroo Island, while also creating advocacy for the protection of its special wild places.”

Bob Brown with protesters on the steps of Parliament House. Picture: Kelly Barnes/AAP
Bob Brown with protesters on the steps of Parliament House. Picture: Kelly Barnes/AAP

Earlier this month, Australia’s highest profile environmental campaigner, former Greens leader Bob Brown, joined the fight to stop the tourism development.

Dr Brown said he opposed each and every proposal put forward by the Australian Walking Company because they were “aimed at the rich to the exclusion of the public”.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/fight-to-stop-tourism-development-plan-in-kangaroo-islands-flinders-chase-heads-to-states-top-court/news-story/c4a1c39d486dbcc5689630c78c067139