Community & Environment

Each experience within the Anthology Collection has its own personality and style and will leave an indelible memory in the traveller's mind.  But these points of difference are joined by unbreakable cords of quality, professionalism, premium service, friendly and knowledgeable staff and most importantly, a passion to do the right thing by the communities and the environments in which we operate.

• WILPENA POUND RESORT:
  Off-grid solar electricity system

• WILDMAN WILDERNESS LODGE
  Environmental management

Off-grid solar electricity system

Wilpena Pound Resort is powered by the largest off-grid solar electricity system in Australia.

Owned and operated by AGL Energy, the $2.5 million system delivers reliable, high quality power 24-hours a day while also offering quiet, efficient and environmentally-sound power supply which is sensitive to the natural surrounds for which Wilpena is world renowned.

The hybrid power station combines multiple generation sources - 100kW solar cells convert sunlight into electrical energy, 400kW of battery storage, an inverter and three diesel generators totaling 440kW. It is controlled by a high-tech computer system.

Annually this solar component of the power station provides up to 40% of Wilpena Pound Resort’s power. During the daytime, with good sunshine, the solar cells will meet the resort’s demand. For cloudy periods, the batteries or diesel generators or both can be used to supplement the solar power.

At night, the most efficient diesel generator combination is switched on to meet the load. Also at this time, any excess solar energy stored in the batteries is used to offset the diesel consumption.

The automatic system offers unattended operation and it is remotely monitored and controlled via a modern-link. The Wilpena Solar Power Station represents the state-of-the-art in remote power technologies.

Wilpena Pound is one of South Australia’s best known landforms so it is appropriate - visually and environmentally - to use renewable energy to power the resort. By installing a solar system, the natural environment is not spoiled with power lines nor by the excavation work that would have been required to extend the grid.

Environmental management

The new development at Wildman Wilderness Lodge has been undertaken with a strong focus on minimising impact to the ecology of the area.

In previous years the resort owners have maintained extensive engagement with the NT Department of Fisheries, the team installing the salt water intrusion barriers, surrounding pastoralists, NT Parks and Wildlife Service, and local Aboriginal groups interested in providing cultural touring opportunities.

It is our great desire to continue this engagement and participate more fully in noxious weed eradication, feral animal control, relevant ecological studies and general land and wildlife conservation.

Where possible with the new development, environmental best practice technology will be utilized in the generation of power, the treatment of water and sewerage and in all operational aspects associated with the treatment of waste, conservation, and in creating a minimal environmental footprint.

All tours and activities will be highly interpretive and educational, conducted by guides qualified in particular disciplines of Anthropology, Zoology and related Wildlife and Nature Studies. Where possible, guides will be recruited from surrounding Aboriginal groups and trained in the delivery of information to guests.