Hills tourism group scores $60k grant

THE Perth Hills Tourism Group, in conjunction with the South East Metropolitan Area Consultative Committee, has received a $60,000 grant from the Federal Government to devise a working tourism strategy for the region.

The group was formed eighteen months ago by local government and tourism associations to promote the area from Chittering through Gos-nells to Serpentine/ Jarrahdale as a region in its own right.

Perth Hills Tourism Group delegate Mike Devereux, who has also formed the Gosnells City Tourism Association, said Tourism Minister Norman Moore had accepted the notion of a distinct hills region.

“The Heritage Country Tourism Association ran the highly successful Darling Escapes promotion then transferred it to PHTG,” he said.

“It was re-named it ‘Escape to the Hills’ because we realised many Perth people didn’t know much about the Darling Ranges. This year’s promotion will run from 10 to 19 September.

“The region is perfect for people who don’t have time to go down south for holidays.