A major
new partnership between the Murdoch University Environmental
Technology Centre and Australian Outback Lodges, a Queensland
based company who design and construct environmentally sensitive
accommodation options for tourism operators was recognised at
a Ministerial Launch of the new on-site Eco-Lodge.
Australian
Outback Lodges was formed in 2003 and prides itself on combining
state-of-the-art eco-design with cutting edge business practices.
Company Director Tony Balch has over 30 years of experience in
the hotel industry and has been a leading light in the sustainable
tourism area helping to establish the eco-tourism course at Edith
Cowan University in the 80s and Chairing the WA Government’s
Tourism Sector Task Force in 1990.
Visitors,
Guests and ETC Staff and Volunteers were welcomed to Nyungar
Land by Marie Taylor Nyungar Custodian. Marie challenged all
those assembled to promote sustainable tourism opportunities
and partnerships with Indigenous Communities. The Eco tourism
Lodge was officially launched by the Hon Mr Mark McGowan MLA,
Minister
for Tourism
on Wednesday,
31st
August
2005.
Minister
McGowan, during his speech, remarked that out of all the resorts,
hotels and innovative tourism facilities he had visited, the
most memorable and enjoyable had been an eco-lodge style resort
at Coral Bay. Tony Balch, in good humour, let the Minister
know it hadn't been an Australian Outback Lodge but that
the growing sustainable eco-tourism industry was big enough
for
many players. Mr Balch encouraged the Minister for Tourism
to continue the work of opening up opportunities for innovative
partnerships and commercially viable eco-resorts in Western
Australia.
Photos
(B Richards), Top
from Left, Marie Taylor; Nyungar Custodian (seated), Martin
Anda; Director ETC, Tony Balch; Aussie Outback Lodges, Andris
Stelbovics; Prov Vice Chancellor Research representing the
Vice Chancellor, Mark McGowan MLA (seated).
Centre, an Eco-Lodge
Bottom, Graham Leake; Solco, John Hunt; ETC Researcher, Martin,
Tony, Mark and Andris outside the Eco-Lodge at ETC.
