MEDIA RELEASE 26 September 2011 Strahan tourism operators worm their way into sustainability An environmental friend is wriggling its way into Strahan with worm farms fast becoming part of tourism operators’ sustainability practices. With 30 worm farms in accommodation backyards, Strahan Sustainable Tourism Committee (SSTC) founder, Pam McDermott, hopes to see Tasmania’s first community worm farm established in the town. “A community worm farm created by the council with castings and liquid fertilizer used for public gardens and spaces would be wonderful for sustainability as well as great branding for Tasmania,” Mrs McDermott said. Mrs McDermott, the winner of the 2011 Cradle Coast Regional Awards for Individual Contribution to Sustainable Tourism, created the worm farm concept soon after the SSTC was established in 2008. Recently achieving the Earth Check accreditation after exceeding the world‐wide Green Tourism benchmark for her practices at Marsden Court and Sharon lee Strahan Villas, Mrs McDermott has been using worm farms for the liquid compost for some years. “Our guests are delighted to help keep Strahan pristine and love to recycle their scraps ‐it reminds them of being at home,” she said. “The SSTC has also donated a worm farm to the Strahan Primary School to compliment the vegetable garden and the children love it.” With strong support from North‐West supplier, Gunns Mitre 10, Mrs McDermott is available to take more orders. “I never realized how popular this project would be as it has really taken off, and while it’s not a big thing to do as an operator, it is fun and rewarding,” she said. The SSTC is a sub‐committee of Destination Strahan working together to encourage its members to learn about and adopt sustainable practices, while also encouraging guests to participate. It is now in the process of replacing all plastic with calico bags, has driven the first phase of a walking and bike track with Federal and regional tourism funding, aims to lease bikes for guests, and continues to educating staff and promote sustainable practices to guests.
End… Cradle Coast tourism works with the tourism and associated industries, Councils, State Government and visitor centres to create a regional tourism sector that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the Cradle Coast. Cradle Coast tourism is a unit of the Cradle Coast Authority. Media Contacts: Ian Waller ‐ Ph: 0419 372 400 Amanda Wilson ‐ Ph: 6431 6285 Regional Tourism Development Manager Communications Manager