A proposal for a new luxury, nature-based accommodation to be built at Hamersley Inlet Reserve, is on track for construction, with the Shire of Ravensthorpe ticking Wander Group as the preferred proponent.
Known for its highly unique wildflowers and walking trails, the 130ha Hamersley Inlet Reserve is located about 26km west of Hopetoun in the Shire of Ravensthorpe and will be next to WA’s only UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve, Fitzgerald River National Park.
The national park recently made headlines after it was devasted by a 172,000ha bushfire that raged for 12 days and decimated the unique flora and fauna.
Ravensthorpe council selected Wander as its preferred proponent at a special council meeting on June 2.
Famous for their off-grid WanderPods located next to some of Australia’s best national parks, the tourism operator currently has cabins in South Australia’s Kangaroo Island and Queensland’s Scenic Rim, with developments under way at the Grampians, Snowy Mountains, and Flinders Ranges.
Shire president Rachel Gibson said she expected the proposal would generate strong community interest.
“We understand our community will have a range of views about any future tourism development near the Fitzgerald River National Park,” she said.
“That is why community consultation will be a critical part of the process from the very beginning.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to carefully explore how sensitive, low impact tourism accommodation can provide economic and tourism benefits for our region.”
The project is supported via the State Government’s $17.7 million national park tourism experiences development program, which aims to grow sustainable, nature-based tourism experiences in and around WA national parks.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he was eager to see WA’s sustainable tourism sector grow.
“Wander’s proposal will bring a new unique tourism experience to WA’s southern coast and help showcase the incredible natural beauty of the Fitzgerald region, and I’m eager to see it progress with the support of the Cook Labor Government,” he said.
“Projects like this encourage more visitors to travel to our regions, stay longer, and support local businesses and jobs, which is exactly why we have set up our national park tourism experiences development program to help bring them to fruition.”
The next stage of the process will involve planning and consultation with traditional land owners and the community to ensure cultural and environmental considerations, along with community views, are fully understood before any decisions are made.
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