OPERATIONS of Little Desert Nature Lodge will once again change hands.
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Following a review process, Conservation Volunteers Australia will cease operating the lodge at the end of 2018. CVA has run the lodge, located in Nhill, since 2011.
A process has now started to secure an alternative owner and/or operator for the lodge.
CVA chief executive Phil Harrison said the group would remain very active in the region and would continue to seek was to grow the Rewilding the Desert program.
“Conservation Volunteers Australia has invested considerable time, energy and resources to seek operational efficiencies, improve asset condition and enhance the experiences offered to customers at Little Desert Nature Lodge,” he said.
“But as we evolve as a not-for-profit organisation we recently conducted a comprehensive review of all operations in the Little Desert region and we have determined that the management of the Little Desert Nature Lodge does not fit into our vision.
“Instead we should focus on our core business of attracting and managing volunteers to undertake practical conservation.
“We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported CVA and the Lodge over the past seven years and in particular our current team at the Lodge.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Little Desert communities and progress the Rewilding the Desert initiatives in the years ahead.”
The lodge was established in 1969 and began operations of four-wheel drive tours into the Little Desert National Park to raise awareness of the unique local flora and fauna.
Since then, it has become a premier tourism destination for the Wimmera attracting many international visitors, as well as conservation groups and school groups.
Lodge guest services and co-ordination manager Kay Frost said she wasn’t concerned about the changes to the lodge’s operations.
“We’re were told a date that it will be finishing up, but everything will be business as usual,” she said.
“It’s not folding, just changing hands. Hopefully someone will come around and take over operations.”
She said the site was constantly busy with visitors.
“At the moment, it’s full on busy and staying strong,” she said.
“We’re preparing for a group of Chinese students and their teachers today, and next week we’ll have second group come through.
“Then we have a tour operator that comes through with guests every month, as well as visits from conservation groups, photography groups and bird groups.”
The lodge is also well known for its contributions into the conservation of the Malleefowl.
There is a 295 acre Malleefowl sanctuary on site and an aviary with a captive breeding program.
“Lots of people book in just to come see the Malleefowl,” she said.
