22 November 2007
Dubai: Emirates on Wednesday started the development of the $69 million Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia's Blue Mountains, a project that will see the transformation of 4,000 acres of distressed farming land into a high-value conservation site.
Yesterday's ceremony marked the beginning of Emirates' first resort project outside Dubai.
The resort is the second conservation focused property in the expanding portfolio of Emirates Hotels & Resorts - the hospitality division of the airline.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, turned the soil at the property with New South Wales Minister for Tourism Matt Brown; Kerry Bartlett, Federal Member for Macquarie; New South Wales Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Philip Koperberg; Federal Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism Martin Ferguson, and local member and former Lithgow mayor Gerard Martin.
Two per cent of the 4,000 acres will be used to create a resort of 40 free-standing suites and a main homestead that will feature a spa, pool area and conference facilities.
Restoration
The remaining land will be progressively restored to its natural state with the reintroduction of native fauna and flora.
Shaikh Ahmad and the local dignitaries planted a Wollemi Pine as the first of tens of thousands of trees that will help regenerate the valley.
The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest plants that was discovered deep in the neighbouring Wollemi National Park.
Representatives of the Wiradjuri people performed a traditional ceremony to prepare the site for its new use.
Shaikh Ahmad said: "The search for this location began in 2004 and we are now well on our way to making Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa an important asset for Australian tourism, the local community and Emirates."
No ipo in january
Emirates yesterday denied a January flotation, as reported in an Arabic daily yesterday.
An Emirates spokesperson said: "Emirates' chairman has said that an IPO may be considered in the near future. However, no specific date has been given.
"The January time-frame being reported is market speculation. Eventually, the decision to launch any IPO rests with our owners, the Government of Dubai."
By Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
