Royalties for Regions funding for parks

Several national parks around the state are set to benefit from $20 million in funding from the Royalties for Regions program.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said it will be a big boost for regional tourism.

13 national parks will receive funding.

Mrs Faragher said the money will create local jobs in construction and tourism through the development of new and improved tourism infrastructure such as roads, visitor facilities, campsites and eco-friendly accommodation.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the projects would provide a boost to the nature-based tourism industry, employment and other business opportunities in regional WA.

"Parks are the basis for WA's tourism profile around the world and are popular destinations for local holidays and recreational activities," he said.

See statement from Environment Minister and Regional Development Minister below:

The State Government Royalties for Regions program has delivered a $20million boost to regional tourism with the announcement of a range of significant projects throughout Western Australia's most popular parks.

Speaking today in Kalbarri National Park, Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the projects would create local jobs in construction and tourism through the development of new and improved tourism infrastructure such as roads, visitor facilities, campsites and eco-friendly accommodation.

"Kalbarri is one of WA's top tourism destinations which is why we are investing $5.8million to improve an 11km stretch of road that brings more than 30,000 vehicles each year to spectacular locations along the Murchison River, such as the Z Bend and Nature's Window," Mrs Faragher said.

"In addition, we will be spending a further $700,000 on visitor infrastructure, primarily focusing on upgrading walk trails and installing bike racks in the park."

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls welcomed the funding package and said it would help people enjoy WA's spectacular parks.

"National parks are places for people to visit as well as the cornerstone of nature conservation and we want to promote both," Mr Grylls said.

Mrs Faragher said the funding would also help expand the Naturebank initiative to give tourists and local holiday-makers the option to explore some of the State's finest landscapes within easy reach of world-class, ecotourism accommodation.

Naturebank, a joint initiative of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Tourism WA, identifies and prepares suitable sites for culturally and environmentally sustainable tourist accommodation.

"When you look at a breathtaking tourism destination such as the Bungle Bungles at World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, you can see why it's important to provide facilities that meet the expectations of local and international tourists who are drawn to the awe-inspiring beauty of WA's natural environment," Mrs Faragher said.

"Our initial, targeted investment through Royalties for Regions and Naturebank is designed to encourage visionary tourism operators to grow their regional businesses by investing in accommodation and experiences that will flourish within the State's best national parks in an environmentally sustainable way."

Mr Grylls said the projects would provide a boost to the nature-based tourism industry, employment and other business opportunities in regional WA.

"Parks are the basis for WA's tourism profile around the world and are popular destinations for local holidays and recreational activities," he said.

"This investment from Royalties from Regions is also targeted at providing more affordable caravan and camping opportunities, which addresses many of the recommendations of the Parliamentary inquiry into caravan and camping in WA that the Liberal-National Government has supported."

The projects that will share the $20million Royalties for Regions investment over the next four years are:

Improved camping and visitor facilities
Lane Poole Reserve
Cape Range National Park
Wellington National Park
Yalgorup National Park (Tim's Thickett)
Serpentine National Park (Gooralong)
Torndirrup National Park
Kalbarri National Park

Naturebank sites
Francois Peron National Park
Purnululu National Park
Cape Le Grande National Park
Windjana Gorge National Park
Wharncliffe Mill, near Margaret River.

Better, safer roads
Kalbarri National Park
Karajini National Park.