Jewel Cave Redevelopment
Abstract
The Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (AMRTA) recently received over whelming support from its membership, to undertake the well needed Jewel Cave Preservation and Redevelopment Project. The AMRTA, managers of Jewel Cave, are extremely excited about the project and are committed to cave management and tourism within the region contributing $1.1 million of its own funds to the $3.1million project.
The Jewel Cave project looks at eco-sensitive buildings and infrastructure that will compliment the natural environment, upgrading 50 year old wiring and lighting, creating an interpretive centre and cafe to increase education and visitor amenities and the re-vegetation (with endemic plants to the site) of the existing site to help recharge the water table and preserve site integrity.
Margaret River architects, Willcox and Associates have been awarded the contract to design and build the interpretative centre and café at the Jewel Cave site as part of the upgrade of the facilities. The Willcox and Associates concept was in keeping with our brief and in particular answered our requirement for environmentally sustainable features through its attention to passive solar design, natural ventilation, solar water heating, insulation, water storage and efficiency, minimal artificial light and waste management systems.
It is anticipated that the whole project, including the new car parks, the building and the work within the cave will take approximately two years to complete. The full plans and working drawings are available to view at the ACKMA 2009 conference and the AMRTA is excited to be able to walk delegates through the project. This project has been at least twenty years in the development and the AMRTA would like to thank past managers and committee for having the foresight and commitment to ensure the stunning Jewel Cave is preserved and protected.
Proposed Jewel Cave Buildings
Proposed Jewel Cave Buildings