Labor pledge huge upgrade to iconic park

Labor has announced a major election funding pledge to facilitate infrastructure upgrades to one of WA’s most iconic national parks.

Standing at the State’s most southern point — the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse — Federal Labor candidate Tabitha Dowding and Burt MHR Matt Keogh announced the regional park would receive a $1.25 million investment under a re-elected Labor Government.

Mr Keogh said the investment will go towards expanding parking capacity at Cape Leeuwin to cater for the growing number of visitors to this world-renowned attraction and protect it for years to come.

With the site the starting point for the 123-kilometre Cape to Cape Track between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, Mr Keogh said the new infrastructure would make it easier for the growing number of people starting or finishing the hike to have little impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

This project will complement the Cook Labor Government’s Cape to Cape Track improvements project, which is under way, and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s Rounding the Cape project.

Mr Keogh said the investment pledge recognised the important role tourism plays in the economy of not only Augusta, but the entire South West.

“We want to make sure that we can encourage even more people to come and experience this beautiful part of the world,” he said.

“It is such a unique part of not just Western Australia or Australia, but a unique part of the world that attracts tourists to see the point where two oceans meet.

“To be able to walk along our pristine coastline, to experience the waves, sometimes the surf, is one of the unique opportunities we present in the biodiversity hotspot that is the southern tip of Western Australia.

Ms Dowding said the region held special significance as someone who grew up in the South West.

“The Cape to Cape track is a major drawcard in our South West and these upgrades will ensure the area remains a top tourism destination for years to come,” she said.

“This commitment will ensure visitors continue to explore all the Cape to Cape has to offer.”

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River president Julia Meldrum said the shire welcomes any announcement to provide better infrastructure to accompany the impact tourism has on the region’s natural environment.

“A very important part of keeping the natural environment protected is having good infrastructure to go where people go and don’t go, so we welcome this commitment from the Labor Government,” she said.

Mr Keogh said the announcement was a response to several voices across the region which have stressed a need for infrastructure to support the Cape to Cape track and wider region.

“This is what has been called for from the local community, the shire and tourism operators to make sure we can expand the parking down here at Cape Leeuwin,” he said.

However, Mr Keogh did not say if the Cape Naturaliste end of the hike would receive similar investment.

“We recognise, as the Cook Labor Government has at a State level, in the work that it’s been doing across the entire length of the Cape to Cape track, that this needs the continual support and upgrades to make sure that it supports those ever-increasing numbers,” he said.

Cr Meldrum said while the infrastructure investment was welcome, she would like to see both State and Federal governments prioritising the environmental and conservation values of the park.

“We really need the Government to recognise that this park is at risk,” she said.

“It is the most visited national park in all Western Australia, and it has many access points, so sadly, it is getting loved to death.

“We would love to hear an announcement of an increase in ranger numbers to actually manage the conservation values of this amazing park.”