| A report on the construction situation as at end of 2008: |
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A visit in late 2008 to the Emirates "Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa" development has shown that work is well advanced and
on track for its opening next September. We cannot show you photographs, but those of you familiar with the Concept Plan
(2006 revision) will know what to expect and the Emirates web-site (see links below) has a number of "artists
impressions" that are quite realistic.
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--> Here is one photo that has been published already (in Lithgow Mercury, 3 March 2009) (an Emirates photo). This
photo was taken c.February, 2009, about 2 months after my visit. The main building is to the top-right, the pool and pool
building below that and the spa complex below that again to the left of the clump of trees (right of photo). All
one-bedroom vilas are completed externally, the incomplete building in the foreground and the two behind the tree clump
are two-bedroom vilas, three-bedroom vila site is this side of tree clump. Buildings and carpark near the centre of the
photo and heading up to main building are construction site facilities only.
The main resort is located about 3km from the Wolgan Road, well away from public gaze. The present untidy security
entrance (which is on the Wolgan Road, about 14km from the foot of Wolgan Gap and 8km south of Newnes) will be replaced
by a more discrete security check-point on the road to the resort and out of public sight; in fact the Wolgan Road
entrance will probably end up looking just like a normal farm.
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The entrance road also passes staff and maintenance areas. While some buildings have been built, individual staff villas
are still at foundation stage.
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The main resort site is a hive of activity. The three main buildings - the main building, the pool building and the spa
building - are structurally complete and are being fitted out. The main building, which houses reception, dining rooms,
bars, etc. has a splendid view of the Wolgan Valley looking west past the south side of Donkey Mountain. Extensive use
of stone facing and timber beams are being made within this building.
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All 36 of the one-bedroom villas are standing and exterior paneling is still being applied. This paneling gives the
appearance of an outside-framed building, an architectural feature typically found in some old-time "Queenslanders". One
villa has been completed and fitted out as a demonstration unit. You can see more of this on the Emirates web-site on
the "Suites" page. The 3 two-bedroom units only have frames erected, while the single three-bedroom unit has yet to be
assembled.
<-- The "Living area", inside a 1-bedroom villa as viewed from the front door. This is an artist's impression nicked
from the Emirates web-site, but the demo. villa sighted in late 2008 looks exactly like this. The bedroom is off to the
left on the other side of the fireplace (a cosy fire is a useful winter feature), while in summer you can "go straight to
the pool room" off to the right. Note the old style ceiling design and the view from a verandah at the back looking west
down the Wolgan Valley.
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Although outside power will be supplied (the line from the entrance to the resort will be by underground cable) and
there is a large dam on the property, individual villa units will supplement this with solar panels on their roofs and
attached rain-water water tanks.
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Work is also being carried out elsewhere on the property. The original homestead site (with parts going back to the
1830s) and surrounding heritage area is being restored to house a museum and display area. The more recent homestead
from the mid 20th century is currently being used for construction purposes and will eventually be demolished. A small
feral-free enclosure (not seen) has been built and is the start of making the whole property a conservation area.
Although previously a well run farm property, it was also noticable that there has been widespread removal of thistle
and other weeds from the resort area. Emirates publish a Concervancy newsletter, and the latest issue is usually
available at the Newnes Kiosk.
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This project will be an outstanding one and a credit to all concerned. This resort is largely self contained and will be
very exclusive no doubt. Most guests would probably be from overseas, looking for an "Australian experience" and the
resort has been designed with that in mind.
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And there have been benefits already for the rest of us. The road into the Wolgan Valley has been partially upgraded and
work continues with this. Most resort guests will be coming in by road and the upgraded Wolgan Road is gravel and just
part of that "Australian experience". The resort will have minimal impact, visually or otherwise, for the casual visitor
to Newnes. It will, however, raise the profile of the Wolgan Valley, making our little hidden valley known throughout
the world.
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| Our Comment: |
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The main site of this project is made up from most of the freehold land, previously farmland, east and south of Donkey
Mountain and, in doing so, connects two isolated sections of Gardens of Stone National Park. This has been extended
further around the west side of Donkey Mountain to link back up with the Wolgan Road. Much of the development area was
a well run farm owned by the Webb family. However, other farm land has since been acquired that included areas that had
become degraded by weed growth.
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It should be noted that the project's main emphasis is as a conservation reserve. Tourism impact should be low. There
will be no allowance for day visitors and accommodation will be limited to a maximum of 80 guests at any one time, most
of whom will travel into the Wolgan by road. This compares favourably to present visitation levels at Newnes (which is
uncontrolled and has very limited facilities) where, even in winter, you can expect at least 50 people (say 20 cars, both
campers and day trippers) every weekend, about as many more during the week and rising to hundreds of visitors over any
given long-weekend.
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This development has been designed along the lines of the very successful Al-Maha resort outside of Dubai in the United
Arab Emirates. It is expected that most visitors will be from overseas seeking an "Australian" experience.
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This is an interesting project that will, no doubt, raise public awareness of the Wolgan Valley and its beauty. It should
be a positive one for the whole area and serve as an example of what can be done in privately-owned and environmentally
sensitive areas that lie adjacent to National Parks.
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