❓ Ms. Mettam asks about the progress of the Parks for People initiative. The Minister for Environment provides an update on campground upgrades and new campsites in various national parks and reserves, funded through the royalties for regions program.
AnsweredQoN 982Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PARKS FOR PEOPLE PROGRAM — NATIONAL PARKS
AND CONSERVATION AREAS
982. Ms E. METTAM to the Minister for
Environment:
With the holiday season almost upon
us, can the minister please update the house on the progress of the Liberal–National
government's Parks for People initiative and improvements to camp and
caravan sites in our national parks?
AND CONSERVATION AREAS
982. Ms E. METTAM to the Minister for
Environment:
With the holiday season almost upon
us, can the minister please update the house on the progress of the Liberal–National
government's Parks for People initiative and improvements to camp and
caravan sites in our national parks?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Vasse for the
question. Indeed, as the holiday season approaches, this is the busiest time of
the year for camping, and, indeed, for holiday destinations, so this is a great
opportunity for me to update the house on the progress of this program, because
I have not had the chance to address this matter in the house for some time.
The Parks for People program is an initiative that falls under this state
government's four-year caravanning and camping action plan. With an
increasingly urbanised population here in Western Australia, it aims to
encourage people and families, particularly young families, to explore Western
Australia's national parks and to reconnect with nature through this
program and through an affordable holiday experience, particularly through the
south west and the midwest of this state. The program is managed through the
Department of Parks and Wildlife and is supported with funding through the
royalties for regions program.
What this program will deliver over
four years is 450 new camp sites, throughout 16 different national parks, and a
range of upgraded visitor facilities in other parks and reserves across the
state. During 2013–14, for any members who might be looking for holiday
destinations as the Christmas period approaches, Parks and Wildlife has
overseen construction at locations including Conto campground in Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park and Nanga Brook campground in Lane Pool reserve, upgrades to
Logue Brook south of Perth, and new campgrounds at Dryandra Woodland near
Narrogin and Credo in the goldfields. At Logue Brook, which of course has been
reopened as a waterskiing or water sport destination, construction of barbecue
shelters and toilets is underway, and it is anticipated that two of the five
camping loops will be open this summer. When complete, that campground will
have around 110 new camp sites. The expanded Conto campground, one of my
personal favourites, will provide 30 new camp sites, new toilets and a
barbecue, as well as a new camp shelter and, significantly, wi-fi connectivity,
thus providing not only a nature experience, but also a modern nature
experience that will enable people to stay in touch while they are enjoying
being down there. Construction of the new toilets is underway, and the
campground is expected to be open next year.
Significantly, at the very popular
Nanga Brook campground, which is very close to Perth, landscaping and
revegetation works are progressing well. When that campground reopens this
summer, it will have an additional 29 purpose-built caravan and campervan
sites, 12 new tent campsites, a sealed access road, two new toilets, paths, and
picnic tables. Members may be interested to know that given its proximity to
the metropolitan area, bookings can be made online for a camping spot at Nanga
Brook campground. People need not just show up there and hope for the luck of
the draw, because it is a very busy period. I look forward to updating the
house in the future, and since I keep being interrupted —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I want to hear about where to go for a holiday! I call
you to order for the first time. Minister, wind it up, please.
Mr A.P. JACOB : I
will, Mr Speaker. I table this update so members can know all of the great
upgrade works that are happening.
[See paper 2424.]
question. Indeed, as the holiday season approaches, this is the busiest time of
the year for camping, and, indeed, for holiday destinations, so this is a great
opportunity for me to update the house on the progress of this program, because
I have not had the chance to address this matter in the house for some time.
The Parks for People program is an initiative that falls under this state
government's four-year caravanning and camping action plan. With an
increasingly urbanised population here in Western Australia, it aims to
encourage people and families, particularly young families, to explore Western
Australia's national parks and to reconnect with nature through this
program and through an affordable holiday experience, particularly through the
south west and the midwest of this state. The program is managed through the
Department of Parks and Wildlife and is supported with funding through the
royalties for regions program.
What this program will deliver over
four years is 450 new camp sites, throughout 16 different national parks, and a
range of upgraded visitor facilities in other parks and reserves across the
state. During 2013–14, for any members who might be looking for holiday
destinations as the Christmas period approaches, Parks and Wildlife has
overseen construction at locations including Conto campground in Leeuwin–Naturaliste
National Park and Nanga Brook campground in Lane Pool reserve, upgrades to
Logue Brook south of Perth, and new campgrounds at Dryandra Woodland near
Narrogin and Credo in the goldfields. At Logue Brook, which of course has been
reopened as a waterskiing or water sport destination, construction of barbecue
shelters and toilets is underway, and it is anticipated that two of the five
camping loops will be open this summer. When complete, that campground will
have around 110 new camp sites. The expanded Conto campground, one of my
personal favourites, will provide 30 new camp sites, new toilets and a
barbecue, as well as a new camp shelter and, significantly, wi-fi connectivity,
thus providing not only a nature experience, but also a modern nature
experience that will enable people to stay in touch while they are enjoying
being down there. Construction of the new toilets is underway, and the
campground is expected to be open next year.
Significantly, at the very popular
Nanga Brook campground, which is very close to Perth, landscaping and
revegetation works are progressing well. When that campground reopens this
summer, it will have an additional 29 purpose-built caravan and campervan
sites, 12 new tent campsites, a sealed access road, two new toilets, paths, and
picnic tables. Members may be interested to know that given its proximity to
the metropolitan area, bookings can be made online for a camping spot at Nanga
Brook campground. People need not just show up there and hope for the luck of
the draw, because it is a very busy period. I look forward to updating the
house in the future, and since I keep being interrupted —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I want to hear about where to go for a holiday! I call
you to order for the first time. Minister, wind it up, please.
Mr A.P. JACOB : I
will, Mr Speaker. I table this update so members can know all of the great
upgrade works that are happening.
[See paper 2424.]
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