Reflections Holiday Parks has been appointed by the NSW Government to manage Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve from September 2023.
As a Crown Land manager, Reflections has Social Enterprise Certification as a profit-for-purpose organisation which re-invests all its profits back into the care, environmental and social benefit of the 43 community Crown Land nature reserves and 36 holiday parks it manages across NSW.
It is the only holiday park operator in Australia that is certified as a social enterprise and in 2022 Reflections contributed more than $83M in economic value to regional NSW communities.
Chair of the present Norah Head Lighthouse Land Management Board, Neil Rose, said it was an exciting new chapter for the reserve with a bright future to continue prospering as one of Central Coast’s most prominent Crown Land reserves.
“It’s only a small reserve but has four main business activities – tours, accommodation, weddings and the little tourist shop – and I think it will continue much the same as it is now,” he said.
“The number of activities connected to those is quite huge, as well as the grants and projects already on the go, so in the coming months we will help make it a smooth management transition to Reflections.
“They’re a big company and they generate a lot of income … I feel pretty good about it, time moves on.
“I won’t be disappearing, maybe I’ll stay around as a volunteer or put my hand up for the advisory committee and a few of the other volunteers say they’d be interested too,” Rose said.
A Norah Head Reserve Community Liaison Group will be formed later to provide local knowledge and input on management of the reserve.
In February, Board members were recognised for their dedication and outstanding work by Minister for Lands and Water, John Anderson, who said he was “rapt and very appreciative”.
The five Board members – Ken Greenwald, Colin Paulson OAM, Neil Rose, Ian McNaught and Doug Darlington – were presented with the Minister’s Service Recognition Award.
Reflections Group Operations Manager, Cameron Tynan, said his organisation was dedicated to working with the volunteers and the existing Board which had all worked tirelessly in the past to nurture the lighthouse reserve.
“Having visited the site many times and spoken with the volunteers, we know first-hand how much work they dedicate to it and how precious a resource it is to the community,” he said.
Reflections CEO, Nick Baker, sees their appointment as new managers of the lighthouse reserve as a “privilege”.
“Together with the reserve’s volunteers we are committed to maintaining free public access to the reserve, helping volunteers deliver on the reserve’s future plans and building a strong relationship with the community,” he said.
2022 was a year of achievements for Reflections – $3.5M was re-invested in Crown Land reserves managed by councils and community groups, $2.6M to Reflections Crown Land nature reserves and $3M to cross-subsidise the operation of inland parks and reserves – in turn creating and maintaining jobs in regional communities.
Reflections invested $16.9M in park developments and upgrades, with a further $34.8M planned for 2023 to grow regional NSW tourism, and $9.1M was re-invested into their parks and community Crown reserves, which are vital habitats for animals and plants, as well as being treasured playgrounds for regional communities and visitors.
Sue Murray
Has there been any negative feedback from local groups/residents about the activities of this group after they have taken over other crown land reserves or is it all as good as it is touted to be ?
Could it have been taken over by the National Parks Service ?