Morris-Nunn’s Recherche Bay Eco-Resort a step closer

RECHERCHE Bay Eco-Resort is one step closer to fruition, with crown land leases needed for the development expected to be approved next month.

An aerial view of Recherche Bay in Tasmania’s far south-west.

RECHERCHE Bay Eco-Resort — the standout development for the State Government’s planned national parks eco-tourism boom — is one step closer to fruition, with crown land leases needed for the development expected to be approved by the end of next month.

The only thing holding proponents Robert Morris-Nunn and Michael Lynch back from lodging a development application with the Huon Valley Council is the three crown land leases that they applied for a month ago.

The development application for the tourist eco-resort includes seven pontoons moored just offshore in Recherche Bay, with no direct access to the land except by boat or seaplane. The pontoons support two-storey structures built to resemble the hulls of French explorer ships and traditional Tasmanian Aboriginal canoes.

“It’s fantastic — there is no question it will go ahead,’’ Mr Lynch said.

The crown land leases include one on the shore for a jetty to get the people out to the resort, one at Dover for parking and reception and one over the water in Recherche Bay.

Mr Lynch said leases on land were straightforward but a lease of this nature had never been issued before the Recherche Bay application.

“There is nothing more that we can do until we get those leases — and we are hopeful that they will be approved in a bundle rather than individually.”

A government spokesman yesterday said the leases were “currently being drafted” and would be released collectively, not individually.

“The only thing holding them up is extra information that we need from Mr Morris-Nunn who is currently in Europe for a month,” he said.

“Once we have that, it will only be a matter of days before they are finalised and should be granted by the end of October.”

The proposal includes onshore backpackers’ accommodation, a visitors’ centre and a market garden like that once planted by French explorers nearby.

If the project proceeds it will be just the fifth approved since expressions of interest were invited for developments in national parks two years ago.