Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron’s company submits DA for redevelopment of Silver Sands resort at Bicheno

Following years of speculation, Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron’s company has submitted an application for the redevelopment of an abandoned motel. ARTIST’S IMPRESSIONS >>

• Attractions hit record visitor numbers despite border closures
• ‘$26M COVID business grant recipients should be revealed’

MILLIONAIRE businesswoman Jan Cameron has submitted plans to council to redevelop a run down former hotel into a unique East Coast tourism development next to a little penguin habit.

A development application has been lodged, on behalf of Ms Cameron’s company Bicheno Investments, with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council for the demolition of the former Silver Sands Hotel at 80 Burgess St, Bicheno and construction of 12 new visitor accommodation units.

The reclusive Kathmandu founder bought the property, which overlooks Waubs Bay and the Tasman Sea, in 2004, with locals expressing frustrations in the years since about the property falling into disrepair.

Artist's impressions of The Rookery proposed by Jan Cameron's Bicheno Investments Pty Ltd. Picture: SUPPLIED

Designed by local firm PhilpLighton Architects, the development would be known as The Rookery.

The proposal includes demolishing the existing buildings and developing “high quality holiday accommodation” comprising 12 two storey accommodation “nests”.

PhilpLighton Architects director Peter Gaggin wrote in the application to council that the headland and adjacent foreshore was a treasured penguin habitat.

MORE ON JAN CAMERON:

• TasWeekend: Businesswoman Jan Cameron plays the long game
• Bicheno residents tell Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron: Use it or lose it

“The goal of The Rookery development is to use the valuable headland site to re-imagine

an environment which will protect and foster the penguin population and create a place of relaxation and respite for guests,” he wrote.

“The low impact, sustainably designed and operated boutique accommodation operation will integrate into the landscape, enhanced by re-established native plantings and walkways. “Elevated boardwalks, embedded penguin nesting boxes, low density accommodation and sustainable design features will combine to establishment a stunning yet restrained development.

“Priority continues to be given to protecting the existing penguin habitat, restricting all penguin access to the build site, and ensuring penguins have safe and unlimited movement across the site once it is redeveloped and habitat plantings enhancements are complete.”

The existing Silver Sands resort at Bicheno has fallen into disrepair in recent years. Picture: LIBBY SUTHERLAND

The total footprint of the built area for The Rookery would be 1185sq m, which would be 40 per cent smaller than the existing Silver Sands resort.

BirdLife Tasmania’s Eric J Woehler provided the developer guidelines for construction to minimise the disturbance to little penguins.

He said the breeding population of little penguins on the hotel site – not including those in the adjacent coastal reserve was conservatively estimated to be 10 breeding pairs.

“Recognising there will be penguins displaced by the fencing and construction, it is critical to provide nest boxes for penguins in the area surrounding the property,” Mr Woehler wrote.

“Based on experiences elsewhere in Tasmania, the provision of nest boxes within and adjacent to existing little penguin colonies is generally successful over varying time periods from one season to several years.”

Artist's impressions of one of the ‘nests’ at The Rookery proposed by Jan Cameron's Bicheno Investments Pty Ltd. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Woehler wrote there would be a strict off-limits policy on site for all staff and guests when it came to penguins.

“The policy must include a strict ‘hands off’ approach to penguins throughout the year,” he wrote.

“Guests, visitors and staff must be strongly discouraged from actively searching for penguins on site during their stays. This is true for both daylight and night-time periods. No penguins are to be handled by guests, visitors or staff under any circumstances.”

Jan Cameron is also fighting allegations she misled the corporate watchdog. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Ms Cameron is due to front the Hobart Magistrates Court next year to fight allegations she misled the corporate watchdog over her interest in organic baby food firm Bellamy’s.

She has denied she failed to disclose to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission 14 million shares in the Tasmanian company through herself and an associated entity, The Black Prince Foundation.

Ms Cameron has been charged with contravening sections 671B (1) and 1308(2) of the Corporations Act.

Public comment on the Bicheno application closes on Friday, December 4.

Ms Cameron and Mr Gaggin were contacted for comment.