Nobbies closures costly hit to Nature Parks

The closure of the failed Nobbies Centre has seen Nature Parks record a loss of $1.7 million, according to their 2024-25 annual report.

The Nobbies recorded $7.2 million in depreciation, also a loss of $50,000 in revenue, and contributed to a 46 per cent increase in expenditure for the financial year.

On the flip side, PINP had record-breaking results over the summer, including 52 sellout nights, and a total of 131 sellout nights at the Penguin Parade across the year, and best-ever retail sales across all sites.

During 2024-25, food and beverage revenue to the Nature Parks contributed $300,000 revenue, a nine per cent growth.

Employee expenses were the highest since the start of the pandemic, with 243 employees totalling $17.1 million compared to $14.8 million the previous year (210 staff).

There was more than a five per cent increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous year, with more than a million visitors.

In 2024-25, China became Nature Park's largest international market (5.7 per cent), and "despite not yet returning to pre-pandemic levels, the Chinese outbound travel market to Australia is steadily recovering".

Singapore is the second largest international market, followed by the USA, with an increasing global trend for nature-based experiences.

The State Government gave $1.75 million for the renewal of assets.
Revenue, excluding government funding, was $32.8 million, which was $4 million greater than 2023-24.

Nobbies

The annual report states in May 2025, the Nobbies Visitor Centre was closed because of "a structural issue and deemed not safe for reopening following engineer inspections".

"Given the timing of the closure, there was minimal direct commercial revenue impact, estimated at $0.05 million," the report states.

It explains the net loss of $1.7 million "reflects increased depreciation following an adjustment of $7.2 million related to the Nobbies Centre".

"Operating expenditure, excluding salary and wages, for the 2024-25 financial year increased by 46 per cent compared to the previous year. This increase was in line with budget expectations and included a one-off unbudgeted provision for unplanned critical works on the Nobbies Centre," the annual report says.

Nature Parks CEO Catherine Basterfield told the Advertiser building works at the Nobbies, which will cost about $650,000, will continue until March next year "to rectify the building structure and make the surrounding area safe, but will not be sufficient to reopen the facility".

She said it was "difficult to quantify the cost of the Nobbies closure to the whole destination".

"The Nature Parks Board considered the costs of restoring the Nobbies facility in July 2024 and confirmed the investment did not represent value for money," Ms Basterfield said.

"Instead, the board agreed to invest a smaller amount to keep the facility functional in the short term.

"Prior to the scheduled works commencing on the facility, there was a structural failure to one external column and two incidents resulting in solar panels coming off the building due to high winds.

"Following further structural inspections, the precinct was closed as a safety precaution. We are doing these works to keep the boardwalks open, as they are the true attraction of the Nobbies site."

The yet to be released Summerland Peninsula Master Plan will detail plans for the infrastructure. "It has not yet been decided if the existing facility will be utilised in the new Summerland Peninsula Master Plan."

Employment

Ms Basterfield said Nature Parks was the largest employer on Phillip Island and staff numbers had now rebounded to pre-Covid levels.

"The rise in staff costs reflect an increase in hours worked by our tourism team, who is managing far greater numbers of sell out nights than previously experienced," she said.

"The Nature Parks staffing numbers diminished significantly throughout COVID-19 restrictions. Following this, in 2023 the Nature Parks undertook some structural changes that set the organisation up for growth, which was fully implemented last financial year.

"Staff numbers are now back to pre-COVID-19 restriction levels, with wage costs reflecting inflation, superannuation growth and increases to other employment related spend."

In 2024-25, 216 volunteers contributed 11,323 hours.

There were two consultancies where the total fees payable to the consultants were $10,000 or greater. A Melbourne University Cape Barren Goose dispersal and migration research project cost $13,600 and was one of seven reviews undertaken.

There were 262 reported hazards in the past year, 157 of which were from visitors, which is an increase on the previous year (when there were 238, of which 131 were visitors), with "healthy" reporting a sign of improved safety culture.

Conservation

The annual report also details conservation work, including the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre responded to more than 1000 calls for wildlife rescues (see separate story).

The report states Nature Park created its first agreement for self-determined land and water management at Swan Lake with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC).

Ms Basterfield said the agreement was a "significant step" and will see the BLCAC team "identifying, documenting and understanding the cultural and environmental significance of the site".

"The work will aim to sustainably manage, protect and conserve the natural and cultural landscape and improve the habitat value of Swan Lake," she said.

"The BLCAC assessment will directly inform the approach to on-ground works, guiding land management strategies, restoration efforts and conservation activities."

Read more: Nature Parks' snapshot on conservation