Nature Parks remain operative for business

Saturday, March 21, 2020

After the Prime Minister Scott Morrison  advisory Nature Parks has made significant changes to its operations to allow the outdoor Penguin Parade.

The Chief Medical Officer advised about maximum numbers in mass gathering being 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

Catherine Basterfield, Phillip Island Nature Parks Chief Executive Officer said that the Penguin Parade visitor centre will effectively be treated as a ‘flow-through corridor’, so with the reduced capacity, we will not exceed the maximum of 100 people indoors.

The café, restaurant, theatre, retail and interpretive spaces within the visitor centre will be closed for the duration of this reduced capacity and they are seeking further advice and clarification from the Chief Health Officer to confirm that this option is sustainable on an ongoing basis, as they are committed to supporting all measures and reductions in numbers to assist with the containment of COVID-19, especially for those in their community who are most vulnerable.

The Nature Parks two outdoor attractions, the Koala Conservation Reserve and Churchill Island will remain open, however the Nobbies Visitor Centre and the Antarctic Journey will close at 5pm from today, and remain closed until further notice, while long term future of the Wild Oceans EcoBoat Adventures is still being determined.

Nature Park has implemented the principles of social distancing with reductions in all Penguin Parade viewing categories in a space that would normally have the capacity of holding up to 3,500 visitors. The initial announcement was a  cap of 500 people being allowed in mass gatherings.

They want to continue operations at the Penguin Parade with reduced capacity and support the containment of COVID-19 and minimise the economic impact of the Philip Island and support their 250 staff most of whom live locally.

With a capacity of only 450 visitors is actually a loss making activity for the Nature Parks but it allows them to continue their staff’s employment and avoid more drastic measures and impacts to the Phillip Island community as a whole.

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