A BOON TO REGIONAL TOURISM
17 Mar 2020
An environmentally sensitive upgrade at Reflections Holiday Park in the Port Macquarie, NSW, area stands as a good example of increasing economic value in local communities.
A $3 million investment in Reflections Holiday Parks Bonny Hills is another great investment in regional tourism, with the opening of its new premium, environmentally sensitive, cabin precinct just south of Port Macquarie.
The new cabin precinct was launched recently, with Member for Port Macquarie the Hon. Leslie Williams MP in attendance to celebrate the completion of the eight new cabins and to support regional tourism.
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said the Group was committed to supporting regional and rural NSW through the economic value add that tourism brings to local communities like Bonny Hills.
“We know that for every dollar spent on overnight stays at a park like Bonny Hills, that is $1.38 directly into the local community,” Mr Edmonds said.
“This development meets the demand for more roofed accommodation in the tourism sector in market-leading ways, through cabins that link guests into, and allow them to maximise enjoyment of each sites specific natural environment, the use of handmade furniture and art works from local artisans and inclusion of premium pet friendly options.
“We are particularly proud of the use of sustainable design (ESD) principles throughout the development, minimising the impact on the environment from inception through to ongoing operation.
“Our new eco-cabins at Bonny Hills are designed to open up to as much light and ventilation as possible to reduce the need for artificial lighting and cooling.
“Solar power has been designed to be energy neutral over each 12 month period, we collect rainwater for irrigation, the cabins maximise use of natural, sustainable and renewable materials and furniture is made of locally-sourced recycled timber.”
The Bonny Hills rejuvenation of the Central Precinct includes:
- Installation eight architecturally designed, environmentally sensitive cabins comprising of 2x2 berth cabins for couples and 6 x 5 berth cabins for families
- Coloured concrete footpaths, timber privacy screens and sandstone retaining walls
- Sandstone retaining walls, landscaping, footpaths, privacy screens, and planting
- A new landscaped community amphitheatre area
- An upgraded fire hydrant and hose reel system covering the entire park
- A barbecue shelter, relocation of the existing caravan dump point and bin bays
Reflections Holiday Parks Chair Wendy Machin said the new cabin precinct at Bonny Hills epitomises the Group’s Nature Never Felt so Good ethos and forms the centrepiece of the new masterplan outlined in the 2012 Plan of Management.
“These eight new eco-cabins, four of which are pet-friendly, really open up the park’s accommodation offering,” Ms Machin said.
“Their design also leads the holiday park industry in sustainable accommodation and creates a solid point of difference from other holiday park groups.
“In addition, Reflections has provided the community with open recreational space and a boardwalk along the foreshore.”
Bonny Hills Park Managers Jack and Peggy Kelly said the new cabins were an absolute boost to regional tourism. “We are so proud of their sustainable design and our staff Pip and Jarron Neal are excited to be able to offer such a wonderful product,” they said.
ABOUT REFLECTIONS BONNY HILLS
Reflections Bonny Hills features 46 drive-in camping sites. 18 holiday van sites and six cabins. In 2012, a Plan of Management was developed with the community to guide the park’s sustainability and future visitor use. This process identified new opportunities to boost the visitor economy of Bonny Hills with investment in public and private infrastructure that will unlock year-round visitation for years to come.