❓ Hon. Louise Kingston inquires about the government's response to a recovery plan for Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park following the Calgardup fire and requests additional funding for managing increased visitation. The government outlines existing investments in the park.
AnsweredQoN 1198Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND ATTRACTIONS —LEEUWIN–NATURALISTE
NATIONAL PARK
1198. Hon LOUISE KINGSTON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the six-point plan titled ''A Recovery Plan
for Boranup Forest & the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park'' signed by eight major local industry groups and
authorities, including the Shire of Augusta–Margaret River, following the level 3 Calgardup fire.
(1) Has the Department of Biosecurity, Conservation
and Attractions given consideration to the six-point plan?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the
state government provide additional funding to manage the impact of increased
visitation or appropriate management and maintenance of the natural assets in
the park?
NATIONAL PARK
1198. Hon LOUISE KINGSTON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the six-point plan titled ''A Recovery Plan
for Boranup Forest & the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park'' signed by eight major local industry groups and
authorities, including the Shire of Augusta–Margaret River, following the level 3 Calgardup fire.
(1) Has the Department of Biosecurity, Conservation
and Attractions given consideration to the six-point plan?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the
state government provide additional funding to manage the impact of increased
visitation or appropriate management and maintenance of the natural assets in
the park?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I take
the opportunity to congratulate the member on her election to the Legislative
Council. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the following
answer.
(1)–(3)
The state government recognises the importance of Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park as the most visited national park in Western Australia, and will
continue to support and enhance tourism offerings in our national parks. In May 2023, the state government
announced $2 million to support upgrades to the Cape to Cape Track in Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park. These
upgrades will include improvements to the
track surface, infrastructure upgrades, trail realignments to protect
culturally sensitive sites and erosion management, which will enhance
the experience for visitors and locals. A further $700 000 will be spent on
visitor signage in the park. The state government acknowledges the strong
advocacy of the member for Warren–Blackwood on this matter. To address
the impact of increased visitation and protect natural and cultural assets in the park, a further $550 000 is being spent on
upgrading and expanding the Rabbit Hill recreation site in Yallingup to provide additional parking spaces,
replace a lookout and eventually improve beach access.
The Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions continues to implement a range of bushfire mitigation measures in Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park, including utilising the lower fuel loads resulting from
the 2021 Calgardup bushfire to reintroduce prescribed burning under mild
conditions. Additional conservation works being progressed within the Calgardup
bushfire area include weed management and baiting for pest animals. The
identification of priorities for future reserve joint management within the Karri Karrak region will be progressed with the
soon-to-be-established cooperative management committee under the south
west native title settlement.
the opportunity to congratulate the member on her election to the Legislative
Council. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the following
answer.
(1)–(3)
The state government recognises the importance of Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park as the most visited national park in Western Australia, and will
continue to support and enhance tourism offerings in our national parks. In May 2023, the state government
announced $2 million to support upgrades to the Cape to Cape Track in Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park. These
upgrades will include improvements to the
track surface, infrastructure upgrades, trail realignments to protect
culturally sensitive sites and erosion management, which will enhance
the experience for visitors and locals. A further $700 000 will be spent on
visitor signage in the park. The state government acknowledges the strong
advocacy of the member for Warren–Blackwood on this matter. To address
the impact of increased visitation and protect natural and cultural assets in the park, a further $550 000 is being spent on
upgrading and expanding the Rabbit Hill recreation site in Yallingup to provide additional parking spaces,
replace a lookout and eventually improve beach access.
The Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions continues to implement a range of bushfire mitigation measures in Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park, including utilising the lower fuel loads resulting from
the 2021 Calgardup bushfire to reintroduce prescribed burning under mild
conditions. Additional conservation works being progressed within the Calgardup
bushfire area include weed management and baiting for pest animals. The
identification of priorities for future reserve joint management within the Karri Karrak region will be progressed with the
soon-to-be-established cooperative management committee under the south
west native title settlement.
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