Kangaroo Island luxury lodge, Australia
How Kangaroo Island luxury lodge, Australia makes a difference
Environment
We employ a dynamic environmental management plan that steers our operations. We exploit low wattage, energy saver light globes in all rooms. LPG is utilised for laundry and kitchen facilities. The Lodge features an intricate building management system whereby power usage is minimised during off-peak periods.
The aspect has been designed to maximise natural weather patterns, including flow-through ventilation and glazing to capture sunlight and store natural heat. The property use eco-smart fires, fuelled by green energy such as ethanol for public areas and in-room fire places.
Wastewater and organic waste is treated by the 'Biolytix Filter System'. Using a chemical free process that is also odour absorbing, the system converts organic waste, wastewater and sewage to clean irrigation water which is utilised on plantings in the staff village area via a subsurface system that also ensures wildlife are not attracted by food wastes. Organic waste is sent to the compost unit. Biodegradable chemicals are used for cleaning. Extensive recycling is undertaken, separating compost materials, cardboard and paper, glass, plastic, aluminium and rubbish.
Water is harvested from all roof surfaces at the lodge and stored in tanks with a total capacity in excess of 1.5 million litres. A key aim of management is to have the property rainwater self-sufficient every four out of five years. In accordance with the Commonwealth Government’s Water Efficiency & Labelling Standards Act, the lodge has installed accredited bathroom and shower fittings to ensure efficient systems for guests to minimise their water usage. Guests are encouraged to opt for laundry services every third day of their stay, potentially saving 250,000 litres per annum as well as minimising detergent use.
In 2009, Southern Ocean Lodge implemented an eco-initiative to harness the southern sun! Following two years in planning and development and in keeping with the lodge commitment to the precious natural environment and sustainable tourism, Southern Ocean Lodge installed a ‘solar farm’ designed to increase the property’s capacity to self-fuel using solar energy. Some 225 solar panels were installed on the lodge rooftop and on freestanding suntracking frames set amongst coastal scrub adjacent to the ‘breezeway’ leading to guest suites. It’s an intriguing visual contrast for guests as these space-age-like solar trackers adjust to best catch the energy of the sun, perhaps while a kangaroo hops by or an echidna shuffles below.
Community
Southern Ocean Lodge is an active member of the local community and sponsors a variety of local schools, charities and sporting groups.
Recent recipients of Southern Ocean Lodge sponsorship:
Kangaroo Island Country Education Foundation | The core role of KICEF is to provide financial support to local youth wishing to pursue further education on the mainland. The lodge provided an accommodation package for the annual fundraising event for the last two years.
Kangaroo Island Cancer Support Group | The group provides services and support to residents of Kangaroo Island suffering from cancer. The lodge sponsored a page in the group’s annual calendar and has done so for the past two years.
Parndarna Campus Aquaponics | Senior school students at the Parndana campus of KI Community Education have helped establish a groundbreaking aquaculture project, KI Aquaculture Skills Centre, producing fresh and smoked barramundi. In addition, the young producers offer a bounty of fresh herbs from their garden for buyers, including Southern Ocean Lodge who supports the school in their educational and sustainable endeavors.
Southern Ocean Lodge has drawn on the local service industry and workforce since inception and will continue to do so indefinitely.
Landscape
The property engages local naturalist guides to provide expert interpretive experiences for guests, building awareness of the natural environment and encouraging a greater sensitivity for broader ecological issues.
Kangaroo Island luxury lodge, Australia
1of5
Walking into the lodge is like walking into the something from a James Bond set - and I mean that in the best possible way! The views from the main room pretty much are a show stopper - vast circular glass windows show off wilderness on every side. In front the majestic Southern Ocean, behind just wild bush as far as the eye can see...
