Government priorities heritage management

Purnululu National Park in the East Kimberley will have a series of upgrades this month and a new committee to oversee its heritage management as the Naturebank program nears completion.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said visitors to the park could expect improved day-use areas and upgraded access roads, as part of a State Government boost to conservation and tourism.

Mr Marmion said work had begun on a new carpark at Mini Palms, an upgraded car park at Piccaninny Gorge and road realignment at Kurrajong. “The road realignment at Kurrajong is particularly important because it leads to a new safari camp being developed by Kimberley Wild Expeditions,” he said.

“The new camp is the first low-impact, ecotourism operation to be developed under the State Government’s Royalties for Regions-funded Naturebank program.”

Naturebank is a partnership between the Department of Environment and Conservation, and Tourism WA which aims to provide opportunities for indigenous investment, employment and capacity-building while offering sustainable accommo

dation with ecotourism experiences.

Mr Marmion announced the creation of a Purnululu World Heritage Area Advisory Committee, to enable a broad range of community interests to contribute to management of the area.

The committee will include Djaru and Kidja traditional owners, the community, Shire of Halls Creek, and tourism, conservation and scientific representatives, he said. Taking a seat as committee chair is Chris Done.