Mortimer’s Lodge

Mervyn and Tracey, owners of Mortimer’s Lodge on Yorta Yorta Country in Chiltern, Victoria, combine the charm of a historical cottage nestled among vineyards with their dedication to sustainable practices and responsible tourism, using the Strive for Sustainability Scorecard to see where they were at on their sustainability journey.

“We wanted to ensure we focussed the running of our business in a socially, environmentally and culturally sensitive way, as we feel more and more of the demographic who seek accommodation in cottages such as ours, care passionately about these ideals”.

For Mortimer’s Lodge, the Strive for Sustainability Scorecard helped them to identify areas for improvement, such as reducing energy consumption and water usage, that align with their commitment to sustainability.

“The main benefit of the scorecard program was how easy it was to participate in, when time was available, and in doing so, educate us on how we can be more eco-tourism focussed. The end result is not only a way to gauge our progress so far, but to also set out action plans for continuous improvement”.

The owners have made a strong commitment to purchasing only recyclable, ethically made, and local products to reduce waste and transport emissions. Utilities are purchased through a company with a focus on carbon neutrality, and they are working with relevant agencies to promote the installation of an electric vehicle charging station at the cottage.

The business also plays a role in the socio-economic and cultural development of the local community. Mervyn and Tracey participate in local tourism committees and assist in developing events to promote the town of Chiltern.

“It’s also important to recognise and support the local community, who in turn support us, and also reduce our impact on the environment, so that it may not impact us as much as it could if we fail to limit climate change”.

The Lodge’s infrastructural design creates a welcoming environment for people with physical disabilities, with ramp access to the entire building. Not only that, but it’s walls are steeped in rich history, having a long line of owners dating back to the early 1800s.

Motivated to build on their sustainability successes, Mervyn and Tracey gained personalised insights into which sustainability pillars they can strengthen for a more sustainable operation.

“For us, we knew we had more to do in supporting, and encouraging guests, to support our indigenous culture. We have already started to make progress in this important area. Secondly, we are now looking into the installation of a dedicated EV charger at the cottage to promote more EV drivers to the area.”

Find out more about Mortimer’s Lodge and how they strive for tourism sustainability.

Mortimer’s Lodge completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 19 April 2023 and is a snapshot of their current sustainability practices. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.

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