Amity Eco Project - Straddie Camping.

Amity Eco Project Newsletter
May 2014
Amity Eco Project
Reviving the
quintessential North
Stradbroke Island beach
holiday experience
Issue May 2014
Project timeline:
May 2014
Jul 2014
Oct 2014
Nov 2014
Removal of 2 existing cabins
Building construction &
research project commences
Landscaping commences
Interpretive signs and
designs commence
Building completed
Landscaping completed
Plumbing Electrical, gas &
sewerage installed
Official opening
Evaluation & monitoring
Project Concept
The Amity Eco Project aims to develop two eco-accommodation
prototypes at Amity Point Camping Ground on North Stradbroke Island.
These prototypes will be market tested, evaluated and fine-tuned for
possible use in clusters within other Straddie Camping camping grounds
on North Stradbroke Island.
The structures will draw inspiration from traditional Australian tent
styles, and the quintessential North Stradbroke Island beach shacks,
whilst also integrating the Quandamooka People's cultural considerations
in design concept & application.
Importantly, sustainability initiatives, and aesthetics that strongly relate
to the Island's traditional structures will be incorporated into designs.
This project aims to provide a unique and alternate experience for
visitors, and create a shift from the traditional camping ground/holiday
park offering, to one which delivers a new style of camping product
focused on ecotourism and cultural tourism.
Feel the Spirit of Quandamooka Country
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Amity Eco Project Newsletter
May 2014
Natural designs, natural settings
The Location
Amity Point, a traditional fishing
village, was historically a
destination that was dominated
by these simple camping/holiday
shacks.
Design Concept
Contemporary eco-structures all
too often draw their inspiration
from South African or East African
designs, which have little
reference to Australian traditional
tent structures. Similarly ecocabins or camping ground cabins
in Australia have often evolved
from mining demountables or
urban designs. These types of
structures take little reference
from Indigenous approaches and
knowledge of the land, seasons
and wildlife.
The objective is to develop
accommodation structures that
reflect and respect North
Stradbroke Island’s proud history
as a holiday destination and
draws on the traditional
approaches of the Quandamooka
People in living on a sand island
in the sub-tropics.
accommodation in natural areas
with associated interpretation
information, including permanent
signage explaining the design
principles and sustainability
measures adopted, along with an
explanation of the Aboriginal
cultural considerations involved in
the design of the structures.
The project will provide display
sites that showcase eco-friendly
Revisiting the Island’s heritage
The History
North Stradbroke Island has
been a favourite beach holiday
destination for southeast
Queensland residents since the
1900’s. Post WWII the Island
became a popular destination for
fishing enthusiasts, surfers and
naturalists, who built simple yet
functional shack structures.
These shacks dotted the Amity
Point township and Point Lookout
headland, many which were just
one or two rooms and a sleep-out
and were constructed of fibro or
weatherboards and set on low
stumps or directly on the ground.
The Future
While the two prototypes will
become bookable
accommodation types for
Straddie Camping, their primary
function will be to act as working
examples, which will decide the
future of these types of ecostructures in the camping
grounds.
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Amity Eco Project Newsletter
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May 2014
Sustainability
Initiatives
Minjerribah Camping, playing a leading
role in North Stradbroke Island’s
sustainable future.
The project has been designed
to incorporate cutting edge
sustainability features in energy
efficiency, building materials,
water consumption and waste
management.
To this end a design team with
significant experience in
ecotourism and sustainable
development has been engaged
to oversee all aspects of the
project
Sustainable Design Concept
The prototype structures will
adopt best practice design
standards, and will exceed
standards required for Advanced
Eco-Certification; Climate Action
Certification, and Respecting our
Culture Indigenous Certification
as operated by the peak industry
body Ecotourism Australia. Upon
completion, the prototypes will be
submitted to Ecotourism Australia
for certification.
The project will also be innovative
in so much as it will:
•
incorporate Indigenous
approaches to design and
structure placement;
•
demonstrate the latest in
sustainability design
initiatives for sensitive island
environments;
•
encompass designs unique to
North Stradbroke Island that
will come to be uniquely
associated with camping on
Minjerribah.
The structures will be
constructed with materials from
the region and will feature natural
colours, in harmony with the
surrounding environment and
island heritage. They will feature
large windows, canvas screens,
and be fan cooled to take
advantage of the island breezes.
The project involves minimal
impact construction methods,
and will include landscaping
utilising species endemic to North
Stradbroke Island. This will create
aesthetically pleasing surrounds,
and result in low maintenance
grounds, which are friendly to the
native wildlife.
the prototypes.
Better Visitor Experiences
Camping offerings on North
Stradbroke Island are currently
quite basic, with the range of
accommodation options limited
to powered and un-powered
sites, and cabins. The cabins at
Amity Point are recycled from a
previous caravan park that was
operating on the Island in the
70’s. They occupy prime
locations, yet are of a poor
standard, and fail to maximise the
views, breezes and aspects
available.
The Building Team
The proposed eco-tent and ecoshack prototypes aim to fill a void
in the market, which appeals to
campers who wish to enjoy a high
quality experience without the
need to organise camping
equipment and erect tents.
Similarly, the eco-shack aims to
provide simple accommodation,
which reflects the convenience
and experience of a traditional
beach shack.
Minjerribah Camping has
appointed local builder Pacific
Palms Constructions headed by
Tim Powell who is working with
the Quandamooka
Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal
Corporation (QYAC) to construct
Mainstream Caravan Parks do
not traditionally focus on issues
such as sustainability, nature
based recreation, or cultural and
natural heritage interpretation.
They generally focus more on
Environmental best practice
technology will be utilised in the
generation of power, the
treatment of water and sewerage
and in all operational aspects
associated with the treatment of
waste, conservation, and in
ensuring a minimal environmental
footprint.
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Amity Eco Project Newsletter
Continued
activities such as waterparks,
playgrounds, games rooms/video
machines and such, and
accommodation styles are
increasingly dominated by selfcontained cabins.
The prototypes will focus on
providing guests with sustainable
accommodation options,
which
have a natural fit with
the heritage
values of North Stradbroke Island,
and the aspirations of the
Aboriginal community.
The project aims to provide an
improved visitor experience by
creating:
•
A greater diversity of
accommodation options
within the Camping Grounds;
•
A uniquely North Stradbroke
Island accommodation style;
•
Interpretive information on
sustainability and indigenous
approaches to structure
placement and design;
•
Two prototype designs, which
will be tested and reviewed
by guests prior to
construction of clusters in
other camping grounds.
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Straddie Camping and the
North Stradbroke Island
Historical Museum Joint
Research Project
As part of the Amity Eco
Project, Straddie Camping has
engaged The North Stradbroke
Island Historical Museum to
undertake a Research Project
with the theme of ““Reviving the
quintessential North Stradbroke
Island beach holiday experience the History of Being Hosted on
North Stradbroke Island”.
The Research Project will
consider the long history of
people visiting the Island and
being hosted, in a place that is
highly valued by the Aboriginal
and Island resident community.
Straddie Camping views this
Research project as an innovative
way to fulfill Minjerribah
Camping’s vision, mission, and
goals more effectively
continuously improving the
quality of island camping
holidays.
Should you have any old photos
or stories of camping on North
Stradbroke Island, and would be
happy for them to be part of this
research, please contact us at
[email protected].
May 2014
T-Qual Grants
T-QUAL Grants is a
competitive merit-based
grants program overseen by
the Austrade, aimed at
stimulating sustainable
economic growth in the
Australian tourism industry.
By providing dollar-for-dollar
matched funding to large and
small-scale tourism projects,
the program aims to increase
Australia’s supply of quality
tourism products and
experiences.
Minjerribah Camping has
been awarded funding for this
project, as it is considered to
be a project that will refresh,
upgrade and develop an
Australian tourism product,
and stimulate private sector
investment.
Our Vision
“Straddie Camping will be
Australia’s foremost island
camping holiday experience
that reflects the spirit,
cultural values and beauty
of Minjerribah’s lands and
seas; and delivers
outstanding outcomes for
our guests, the
Quandamooka people and
our community, through it’s
quality; service;
relationships; profitability
and environmental
sustainability”.
The fishing shack prototypes are
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Amity Eco Project Newsletter
May 2014
FAQ’s
How can I find out more about
the Amity Eco Project?
!!Amity Point Camping Ground
has been voted Queensland’s
Favourite Holiday Park, and
one of the top three Camping
Grounds in Australia for 2014.
An Australia wide consumer
poll by camping and caravan
leaders TURU.com.au, in
conjunction with popular
magazine Woman’s Day
Australia, has awarded Amity
Point Camping Ground three
prestigious awards.
• Overall Queensland’s
Favourite Holiday Park
nd
• 2 in the Camping Ground
category, and
rd
• 3 favorite Holiday Park
Australia wide.
The awards are especially
significant as they are the first
for the small and dedicated
Straddie Camping team.
Contact Us
T: 07 3409 9668
W: www.straddiecamping.com.au
E: [email protected]
In person:
Dunwich Booking Centre
1 Junner Street, Dunwich
North Stradbroke Island
QLD, 4183
To be kept updated on the Amity
Eco Project, please subscribe to
our Happy Camper newsletter at
http://www.straddiecamping.com
.au/media.php or call or email us.
The Straddie Camping website
will be updated regularly as new
information becomes available.
www.straddiecamping.com.au
What is happening to the
cabins being removed?
Straddie Camping has given the
two outgoing cabins to the Myora
Caravan Park to replace much
needed housing owned by the
North Stradbroke Island
Aboriginal and Islander Housing
Cooperative Society Ltd.
What impact will the new
structures have on the
environment?
The eco-shack prototypes will
be developed with the latest
environmentally sensitive design
and construction techniques. Low
impact construction methods will
be adopted.
How are the eco-tent and ecoshack constructed?
Sustainability initiatives, and
aesthetics that strongly relate to
the Island’s traditional structures
will be incorporated into the
design. The structures will be
constructed using local expertise
and materials from the region,
and will feature natural colours in
harmony with the surrounding
environment. They will feature
large windows, external timber
decks, be fan cooled and
elevated to take advantage of the
island breezes, and rainwater will
be harvested for internal use.
What impact will the building
phase have on guests or
residents of Amity Point
Camping Ground?
Building work will be scheduled
to occur in off-peak times and the
work zone will be clearly
designated and signed. Whilst
campground guests may
experience some low level
construction noise during daylight
hours, residents in and around
Amity Point Camping Ground
should experience minimal
disturbance.
When will the project be
completed?
The prototypes will be
completed by late October 2014.
When can the new
accommodation be booked?
It is envisaged that the two
prototypes will be available for
holiday reservations from the 1st
of November 2014 at the latest.
What plans does Minjerribah
Camping have to build similar
structures in the other Camping
Grounds?
Should the prototypes be well
received by guests, Minjerribah
Camping plans to introduce small
clusters of similar accommodation
styles in Amity Point and Adder
Rock Camping Grounds.