$40million upgrade to Fitzgerald River National Park boost to tourism and local businesses

Colin Barnett, Premier
Albert Jacob, Environment Minister

One of Australia’s largest and most significant national parks has undergone a $40million upgrade designed to boost tourism along Western Australia’s south coast and stimulate local businesses. Officially opening the new facilities at Fitzgerald River National Park in early June, Premier Colin Barnett said improved access and visitor facilities would provide significant benefits for surrounding local communities.

“The park is a major tourism attraction on the south coast and is world renowned for its unique flora and fauna, with more species of native animals found here than in any other reserve in the south of WA,” Mr Barnett said. “Its spectacular and diverse landscapes are a key attraction for tourists and the completion of this major improvement program will allow better access to the spectacular south coast, while offering better protection for the park.” The park contains about 20% of WA’s described plant species, with 1,883 species identified, 75 of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The State and Federal governments provided $40million in total to upgrade road access, camping facilities, recreational sites and walking trails. About $30million has been spent on road improvements with 40km of roads reconstructed and sealed, and a further 40km of gravel roads upgraded by the State Government.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said $10million had been spent on a number of recreation sites within the park including picnic areas, viewing platforms, walk trails, campgrounds and parking. “For the first time in the park’s history, all main recreational sites and campgrounds on the eastern side of the park can now be accessed by a sealed all-weather bitumen arterial road.”

For more information on Fitzgerald River National Park, go to: http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/fitzgerald-river