A beautiful location
Bedarra is one of the most beautiful places in the world and we are passionate about keeping it this way. We are not just paying lip service to the philosophy of sustainability, we have made real changes to the operation of the resort to significantly reduce our impact on the environment.
Upon taking over the resort, we undertook a Sustainability Analysis of the island to determine the population of guests and staff the resort could reasonably sustain on a long-term basis. A particular emphasis was placed on water resources, power consumption and waste production and recycling.
The major result of our analysis has been the reduction in the number of guest villas from sixteen to only ten, with a similar decrease in the quantum of staff accommodation. The benefits have been twofold; the consumption of resources has been significantly reduced and our guests share the island with fewer others, further enhancing the feeling of privacy and seclusion for which Bedarra is renowned.
Energy
An off-grid hybrid solar system coupled with a battery bank and a back-up generator has replaced the 3 x 185 Kva diesel fuelled generators on the island. Diesel consumption at the resort has reduced by 97% as a direct result of the new off-grid system and the associated re-fit of electrical fittings and appliances with low power alternatives throughout the resort. A more tangible benefit for our guests is the elimination of the incessant hum and smell of diesel engines operating constantly throughout the day and night.
Water
The resort's water supply is provided from several perennial granite filtered freshwater springs located on the island, in conjunction with the collection of tropical rainwater which is collected in our island storage tanks.
Previously, the resort had produced its water supply utilising a diesel-powered desalination plant involving the production of significant greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, in conjunction with a high salt concetration brine by-product which was dispersed directly nto the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
We have also replaced a large amount of older water reticulation infrastructure on the island to reduce the risk of any potential water leaks and have increaed our resort water storage capacity by 50% to over 1,000,000 litres.
Waste and Recycling
Firstly, the amount of waste arriving at the island has been reduced by giving preference to suppliers that do not use excessive packaging for their produce.
All cardboard and paper waste is composted on the island, as is plant based organic waste which is composted and then used to fertilise our island vegetable gardens. Aluminium and plastic waste is separated and transported to the mainland for recycling.
Unfortunately there are no glass recycling facilities in North Queensland, so most glass ends up as landfill. To counter this, we have invested in a glass crushing machine on the island that reduces all glass to sand. This glass sand is then used by us as aggregate in concreting and landscaping applications throughout the resort.
A bio-cycle septic system has been installed on the island to replace the 25 year old sewerage treatment plant, with all treated effluent being dispersed underground through sand beds or via landscaping irrigation systems without any risk of contact with the ocean or fringing reefs
Future Plans
Our aim is to consume zero fossil fuels in the operation of Bedarra, while still providing a luxury island experience for our guests.
We are in the process of designing an upgraded off-grid solar system that will increase our energy generation and storage capcity by almost 300% and are planning to instal this system prior to mid-2020, This upgraded system will reduce consumption of diesel at the resort to almost nil.
We are also planning to upgrade our composting systems to further reduce landfill waste, increasing water storage on the island and converting all petrrol fuelled vehicles and garden tools to battery powered alternatives.
We are continually striving to provide a luxury island experience in a more sustainable manner that will truly benefit the environment and this spectacular location.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bedarra and sharing with you the natural beauty of the island and our philosophy of sustainability.