Published on : Monday, May 6, 2019
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said, “Plan for Our Parks will deliver new and expanded parks from the Kimberley in the north, across WA’s Rangelands, through population centres in Perth and Bunbury, to our south-west forests and along our southern coastline.
“We are undertaking a thorough, comprehensive and ongoing consultation process with traditional owners; pastoral, mining and fishing industry groups; conservation organisations; interest holders and government agencies.”
$10 million will be invested over the next two years to establish visitor operations and infrastructure at the proposed Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park. This will include the creation of a jetty, installation of signage and paths, and the expansion and upgrades to the airstrip.
A further $3.8 million will be spread over the four-year budget period for the ongoing management of the islands.
The State Government is also investing more than $1.3 million in 2019-20, and $1.8 million per annum for the following three years, to build public recreation facilities and implement traditional owner joint management of coastal reserves in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
While almost $2 million will go towards the creation and ongoing management of the proposed national park at Helena and Aurora Range due to the area’s extremely high environmental and social values.
“The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area attracts many thousands of visitors each year who seek to camp against the world famous backdrop. The plan proposes to maintain sustainable, affordable, remote and self-sufficient camping and caravanning experiences,” Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said.