One of the key attractions of Kangaroo Island for tourists is the connection to various types of farming and primary production. This is recognised as a social and economic development initiative in the SA Economic Development Board’s “Paradise Girt by Sea” report, as well as in the Kangaroo Island Development Plan.
The Andermel Marron farm is a long-standing primary producer on Kangaroo Island, growing both freshwater marron and wine grapes. The owners, with help from SA based architect Douglas Gardner and URPS, have just obtained approval for glamping style tourist accommodation at the farm. The proposal also involves reinvigorating the restaurant and marron growing visitor facilities, as well as providing facilities showcasing locally sourced products to visitors.
The Council’s Assessment Panel supported the innovative glamping accommodation, the on-site solar energy generation and battery storage, the co-location of new buildings with existing facilities and the set-back of new activities from neighbouring farms. Importantly, the Panel concluded that the proposal did not inhibit the land’s capacity for primary production, and substantially retained areas of natural and scenic character important to the visitor’s experience. This is just the type of value-adding boost to the local economy that will help Kangaroo Island bounce back even quicker from the combined impacts of bushfire and the health pandemic.
