The proposed ecotourism facility could provide a rural retreat in Wapengo. Photo: Bega Valley Shire Council.
A 120-hectare stretch of land on the Far South Coast could be transformed into accommodation for outdoor explorers, if a proposal is given the green light.
Plans for an ecotourism and accommodation facility in Wapengo were recently lodged with Bega Valley Shire Council.
The development application (DA) put forward plans for a two-storey ”Still Hut” for short-term accommodation, as well as a small refuge building.
The DA also proposes some roadworks, the establishment of utility services and landscaping.
The site is bordered by Mimosa Rocks National Park on two sides, and Wapengo Lake on another.
“Ultimately, the facility will therefore be utilised as accommodation for tourists that are exploring the park and coastal setting,” the documents state.
None of the existing structures on the site will be used as part of the proposed ecotourism facility.
According to the DA, people would be able to book online, with the hut to have space for eight adults.
“Upon successful booking, guests will be provided with directions and a digital map of the entire property, including exclusion zones that must not be entered by guests,” the documents state.
“This map will also be provided within Still Hut as a hardcopy.”
The hut would be accessed off Wapengo Lake Road and there would be four off-street parking spaces for visitors.
“While a road continues through to the Still Hut refuge building site, guests will not continue in their vehicle(s) [from that point].”
Instead, people would nominate a method to reach the hut (such as by mountain bike, a walking track or on horseback).
The project has an estimated cost of about $2,227,000, according to the BVSC website. Image: Supplied.
The documents submitted with the DA state the facility is being envisaged as a place where “informal, passive activities can be undertaken”.
The papers suggest this could include bushwalking, birdwatching, horse riding or visiting nearby tourist attractions.
Signs would also be placed throughout the property so visitors could learn more about the area.
“The underlying philosophy of Still Hut is to provide visitors of the Sapphire Coast with an opportunity for environmental appreciation and learning while minimising environmental footprint.”
Water would be stored in a rainwater tank, while solar power would also be used.
Inside the accommodation, there would be allocated bins for waste (including recycling and compost bins), which would then be set out by staff for kerbside collection.
A cleaning service already contracted to manage existing short-term accommodation on the site is expected to be used for the ecotourism venture.
A bushfire assessment carried out as part of the DA notes that on days with a ”Catastrophic” bushfire risk, the facility would be closed. An ”Extreme” risk would trigger a closure if there were any active fire grounds within 10 kilometres of the site.
The assessment also recommends that the owners carry out a range of upgrades and planning measures, such as developing a bushfire survival plan, ensuring there are sufficient water supplies and doing regular “bushfire protection measure maintenance”.
“This plan confirms that the site, subject to prescribed Bushfire Protection Measures (BPM) and actions outlined in this plan, will meet the requirements of the NSW bushfire planning and construction guidelines,” the document states.
The DA, numbered 193/2025, is currently under BVSC consideration.
