Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge rebuild application approved by government

The government has approved an application to rebuild the Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island – but there are more than 30 fire safety conditions it must follow.

Owners of the destroyed Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island have moved a step closer to rebuilding the luxury resort as the State Government approves a major development application.

Planning Minister Vickie Chapman approved the application, which includes more than 30 bushfire safety conditions designed by the CFS.

In January 2020, the lodge was destroyed by the Kangaroo Island bushfire.

Staff members survived by sheltering in an underground bunker. According to the CFS, the location of the development is considered “high risk”.

The new lodge, which is planned for the same location as before and designed by Adelaide architect Max Pritchard, must meet 34 conditions.

The Southern Ocean Lodge, on the island’s southwest coast, was reduced to ashes in January 2020. Owners have committed to rebuilding a new lodge, dubbed SOL 2.0, at the same location. Picture: Emma Brasier

Among the requirements is an “all-weather” road looping around the buildings with enough space for firefighting vehicles to safely enter and exit the property.

“Overstorey vegetation overhanging the access road shall be kept pruned to achieve a minimum vehicular clearance of not less than six metres in width and a vertical height clearance of four metres,” another condition says.

The new site must have a minimum supply of 100,000 litres of water available at all times. The CFS also deems a “stay and defend strategy poses an unacceptable risk to life”.

“Due to the high risk location, the proponent shall implement a ‘leave early’ approach for guests and staff,” the condition says.

Before the new lodge opens, the owners must prepare and implement a Bushfire Survival Plan and Emergency Response Plan that would take into account guests who are unfamiliar with the area and unfamiliar with what protective actions they must take during a bushfire.

James and Hayley Baillie, co-founders of Baillie Lodge, hoped to begin work this year and open the accommodation in late 2022 or early 2023.

They previously told The Advertiser insurance was the biggest hurdle towards rebuilding the Southern Ocean Lodge.

[e-mail]