Melbourne designer Dina Malathounis has proposed a $60 million luxury eco-tourism resort on Kangaroo Island’s north coast, featuring 33 geothermal bathing pools, 60 accommodation pods for 132 guests, and Australia’s first geothermal bakehouse.
Named Katharsis KI, the development aims to blend with the environment, offering secluded views of Pebbly Beach and the Investigator Strait, with guests moving around by foot, bike, or electric buggy.
“The stunning and secluded views are one of the reasons we selected this site as well as our opportunity to regenerate unused farmland and thoughtfully build upon Kangaroo Island’s visitor economy,” Malathounis said.
“The facility intends to provide an example across the world of what can be achieved with responsible tourism that seeks to integrate the landscape within its surroundings.”
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly criticised the proposal, saying it was “totally out of kilter for what KI offers for tourism” and “too big and too far-fetched.”
The council plans to submit a formal response to the State Planning Commission, including concerns about bushfire risk.
If approved, the project would take about two years to build, provide 80 operational jobs, and include 26 staff accommodation pods.
Source: The Advertiser.
