Maria Island Ecotourism Development Feasibility ... - TRC Tourism

2.5.3 Other AccommodationGroup accommodation facilities are available at Prero’s Cottage and the Workshop Annexe.These facilities are not available to the general public and are primarily used by PWS DiscoveryRangers, PWS relief staff, contractors, university groups, artists-in-residence and off-islandPWS staff.A ranger's office and public pay-phone are situated close to the centre of the Darlingtonsettlement.2.5.4 Other Heritage BuildingsThere are 13 intact structures set amongst a relatively unchanged landscape at Darlington. TheConservation Management Plan states that ideally heritage buildings should be used accordingto their original purpose and provides for adaptive reuse. Section 8.4.3 of the plan sets out there-use options for several buildings. Notably the following buildings are listed for use: Senior Assistant Superintendent’s Quarters (accommodation with kitchen and ablutionfacilities) Assistant Superintendent’s Quarters (accommodation with kitchen and ablutionfacilities) The Bernacchi Buildings (two buildings for use as accommodation with toilet facilitiesat rear) The Coffee Palace (accommodation in rear rooms, bathroom facilities and use ofkitchen) The Penitentiary (continue historical use as accommodation without furtherupgrades).Conservation works are currently being undertaken in the Darlington precinct with theassistance of Commonwealth funding under the ‘Your Community Heritage’ grant programPWS 2013). The works comprise stabilisation of masonry walls and two leaning chimneys,reconstruction of decayed verandas on the Bernacchi Terraces and routine maintenance,including lime washing and painting, of buildings in the precinct. These works are part ofongoing conservation works required by the Conservation Management Plan.2.6 Commercial Activities on Maria IslandA licence or a lease is required for conducting commercial activities on Maria Island. Astandard business licence, if approved by PWS, is issued with a 5-year contract. Applicants arerequired to pay an upfront application fee and an annual licence administration fee of $330(GST inclusive) (PWS 2013).An award winning successful high end commercial guided walk operator “Maria Island Walks”has helped position Maria Island in the market place as a nationally and internationallyrecognised destination. Visitors who take the trip rate the quality of their overall experiencehighly on Trip Advisor (Trip Advisor 2013).Listed in Table 1 (in no particular order) are the licensed/lease holding businesses operatingwithin Maria Island as at July 2012 (PWS 2012). Feedback from these operators suggests thatonly a few actually operate on the island regularly due to low demand.Maria Island Ecotourism Development Feasibility Study 9