Jervis bay accommodation, New South Wales

Existing within a small community and relatively distant from larger cities, we try to engage local trades people and source local products where possible. Most recently we engaged a local joiner to make new bedside tables from the native hardwood off-cuts remaining from new flooring that had been put in. We source as much local produce as possible for the restaurant including oysters, mussels, salad greens, olives and olive oils and always offer local wines as part of our wine list. All of our current staff are locals, apart from our head chef who we enticed to the South Coast from Byron Bay, though now that he owns property in the area he too is probably a local! We offer apprenticeship training to young local kids who often leave school early and will shortly see our second apprentice complete his certificate after 4 years. We also use local people to provide in-house services such as massage and yoga classes.

We recommend our guests to many local establishments including cafes, other restaurants and of course all the dive boat, dolphin cruise and other tourism operators. Often when we have larger conferences that require more accommodation than we have we accommodate the overflow in other suitable accommodation nearby, who also benefit when we have larger weddings. In nearly ten years of operation we have been closely involved with the local, state and national tourism bodies generating much publicity for the area as well as ourselves. We have been at the forefront of the growing tourism industry in our area and many local businesses have benefited from the resulting increase in economic activity as well as the creation of much needed jobs. We promote bushtucker tours within the Booderee National Park and run by local aboriginal guides, in particular for families with children so they can learn about the bush and why it is so important to the aboriginal culture.

It is in our interest to protect and maintain the pristine environment in which we are situated and our ongoing program uses local environmental engineers to monitor the site. We have no fencing around the property to maintain the wildlife corridor. No large trees are removed and we hand clear only. We actively remove exotic species, blackberry and asparagus fern in particular. The environment is left to develop naturally and is not watered. When there is drought the undergrowth is left to die back and when it rains they re-emerge.

The architect designed the buildings to be in sympathy with the landscape. All buildings are on elevated on platforms to allow for natural ventilation and to minimise impact on wildlife corridors. Guests encouraged to use existing narrow footpaths for access so as to minimise disturbance to surrounding bush. The tents have solar powered electric 12 volt lighting. Hot water is heated by gas on demand only. Light sensitive timer switches are used for public lighting. Compact fluorescent bulbs for energy use reduction. Motor vehicles are kept away from the camp, other than for service.

We strictly adherence to the local Council recycling programs, ie. all paper, plastics and glass is recycled and all organic waste is composted. Rainwater tanks are installed and rainwater used when possible. Wastewater is pumped 900 metres from the site and processed by Council treatment works. The pumping system is protected by no-flow and level alarms. Biodegradable cleaning agents are used. Shower heads are low flow and our toilets are dual flush. Only natural ventilation is used, we do not have air conditioning. Canoes, kayaks and bicycles are provided free for guest use and we do not allow the feeding of native wildlife.

We are very active in the local community in particular in its support of the local tourism association, Tourism Jervis Bay. We regularly support the local community by sponsoring and participating in various events, including the Sea Change Festival and Huskisson Food & Wine Festival. We regularly sponsor various charities and fund raising events, providing prizes such as a dinner for two or two nights accommodation, most recently Oxfam Australia’s ‘Taste For Change’ dinner and also Sydney Children’s Hospital. We are also currently helping raise money for a local girl and staff member who aim to compete overseas in equestrian events and regularly provide prizes for local schools fund raising events.