BACKGROUND MID WEST COASTAL NODES ECO TOURISM PROJECT

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1 BACKGROUND MID WEST COASTAL NODES ECO TOURISM PROJECT The need for coastal node development was identified by the Mid West Development Commission as one of the top strategies in the Mid West Tourism Development Strategy. The Mid West has around 340 km of coast and yet visitors have limited access to the coast, whilst elsewhere around Australia the coast has proven to be a major drawcard for visitors. There is vast potential to open up the Mid West coast by increasing access (ie via tracks/unsealed roads) and developing shore-side ecocamps and day use sites. People will continue to flock to our coastlines and will camp regardless of caravan parks available in nearby towns as this sector seeks the natural experience. This project enables the Shires to proactively plan to accommodate this visitation with basic facilities, protecting the sustainability of these sites and providing some management around nature based camping. The intent is to encourage more campers to visit our region, stay longer and ultimately spend money on goods and services in nearby towns. The Mid West Tourism Alliance is made up of a committee of stakeholders from across three subregions, including the four local governments of Dandaragan, Coorow, Irwin and Northampton. These Shires are working together to achieve a consistent coastal development along the Mid West coast line including Milligan Island in the Shire of Coorow, Sandy Cape in the Shire of Dandaragan and Cliff Head in the Shire of Irwin on the Indian Ocean Drive and Lucky Bay - Half Way Bay in the Shire of Northampton. These eco-tourism developments will include walking trails, designated camping areas, parking for day trips, ablution blocks, conservation-rehabilitation zones, and access tracks off the main road, shaded communal benches, signage, rubbish collection and gas BBQs. The locations will aim to attract holiday makers wanting both day trip opportunities to extended camping stays including the 4WD, RV, fishing and aquatic-marine holiday market. The objective is an overall increase in the both the amount of visitors to the region, an increase in the length of stay and raising awareness of the beautiful serenity the Mid West as a holiday destination. This project will open up the Mid West coast from as far south as the Indian Ocean Drive, only a couple of hundred kilometres from Perth, to as far north as Lucky Bay near Kalbarri to the Caravan and Camping market. Implementation of these camp grounds will increase the visitor numbers and length of stay in the Mid West of Western Australia to those wanting an affordable experience of camping by the ocean under the stars. In particular the campgrounds will provide minimal facilities suitable to the self contained / RV market as opposed to those seeking services (power, showers, laundry etc) in a commercial caravan park.

2 Coastal nodes will attract the dedicated discoverers, family connectors, RV ers and 4WD/fishing enthusiasts markets. They will improve the State s caravan, camping and self-drive experience options and help increase visitor numbers to regional Western Australia. Once established, the nearby towns of these locations will be the beneficiaries of this project. Tourism is a major economic driver injecting $8.8 billion into the West Australian economy, this project will assist the Mid West region to increase its share in growth of visitor numbers and length of stay by establishing desirable yet affordable coastal destinations within reach to the intrastate, interstate and overseas market. 88% of all domestic and 90% of all international visitor nights in caravan and camping accommodation were spent in regional WA for This project directly assists the Mid West Regional Blueprint goal of attracting one million visitors each year that stay in and enjoy the region for longer and generating overnight expenditure. Plus assisting the Mid West to be recognized as a leading self-drive region offering a wide range of high quality, year round options for the Aspirational Achiever, Dedicated Discoverer, Grey Explorer, Family Connectors and Experiences Seeker markets. The Mid West Tourism Development Strategy identifies tourism opportunities, game changes, priorities and gaps for the Mid West region to inform future development and investment. The recommended strategy to grow Mid West tourism during focuses on five key areas: 1. Increase accommodation capacity from camping through to resorts; 2. Opening up day use sites - places previously overlooked or under-developed to enhance the Mid West's appeal as a destination; 3. Improving the quality and distribution of information for pre-trip planning and way finding; 4. Attracting more high-yield visitors and the growing self-drive and RV market; and 5. Increasing the range of Aboriginal and eco nature based tourism activities, attractions and experiences. This project is one of the top six priorities Develop coastal nodes and campsites.

3 Want More Information on the Coastal Nodes Project? Documents Available on the Internet: The Mid West Development Commission, in collaboration with Regional Development Australia, the Department of Planning and the Mid West Tourism Alliance have released the Tourism Development Strategy (2014) with one of the identified priorities being the development of coastal campsites and day use visitor nodes from Jurien Bay to Kalbarri. y.aspx Mid West Regional Blueprint A 2050 growth and development strategy for an intergenerational, global, innovative and dynamic Mid West region that attracts and retains talent and investment. Under the Economic Development pillar tourism is an element which has a goal of the Mid West attracts one million visitors each year that stay in and enjoy the region for longer. Western Australian Caravan and Camping Action Plan to increase opportunities for Western Australians and visitors to experience affordable and safe caravan and camping holidays in Western Australia. Implementation of the recommendations within this plan will support growth and viability of the caravan and camping sector and contribute to the amenity, capacity and economic prosperity of regional communities throughout the state. This action plan is derived from the Brighthouse report A Strategic Approach to Caravanning and Camping Tourism in WA This project specifically relates to recommendation 4; Provision of new and expanded amenities to support self-drive holiday makers, including the development of new and upgrade of existing 24 hour roadside rest areas. Camping/Pages/Action-Plan-Strategy.aspx State Government Strategy for Tourism in Western Australia 2020 Through partnership between private sector and government, the State s tourism industry will achieve its full potential by delivering against the tourism brand promise Experience Extraordinary Western Australia. To bring this vision to life, the stretch goal for tourism in WA is to double the value of tourism in Western Australia from $6 billion in 2010 to $12 billion by This project specifically relates to the Regional Travel pillar for growth which identifies an increase in visitors to regional areas as critical. gy.pdf

4 Tourism 2020 Government working with industry to achieve Australia s potential. Aims to double the value of tourism in Australia from $70 billion in 2010 to $140 billion by Tourism Planning Guidelines a guide to preparing the tourism component of a local planning strategy in Western Australia. This encourages consistent approach to planning for tourism across local planning strategies; ensures that tourism planning and development is considered at the strategic planning stage, as part of the wider planning context; and clarifies expectations on the scope and detail required as part of a planning assessment, to enable considered planning decision making around tourism uses at the State, regional and local levels. Shire of Coorow Local Planning Strategy (2015) - identifies the following issue: The protection of the Shire s natural environment is also of key concern, regardless of the impacts of climate change. The impacts of sporadic camping on coastal areas along Indian Ocean Drive, 4WDing on coastal areas, and also access to the coast via non-authorised access points also present challenges. (page 67) The Strategy sets the following sets the following tourism strategies and actions to address this issue: Restrict future development in the area between Leeman and Green Head, with a small, low-impact camping or tourism facility possibly being provided at Little Anchorage Bay. (p.23) Work with the Department of Parks and Wildlife to open up more reserves and national parks in the locality to be available for short-term camping. (p.23) Work to provide additional camping opportunities in the Shire s reserves and parks. (p.25) The accommodation and hospitality offering in the Shire and in the regions needs to be improved. Opportunities for eco-tourism also need to be considered. New camping opportunities should also be provided in Lesueur National Park. (p.40) The Shire implementing the Leeman and Green Head Townsite Local Planning Strategy by rationalising coastal access points, and by providing serviced and secure camping areas on the coast between Leeman and Green Head. (p.67, 69)

5 Shire of Northampton Coastal Strategy & Local Planning Strategy Formalise Little Bay and Lucky Bay as nodes for eco-tourism development and recreational facilities. Define development area boundaries for each node and incorporate within an appropriate zone. Assist in the preparation of development and management plans to guide sustainable development of short stay tourist accommodation and related recreational and support facilities consistent with the Batavia Coast Strategy. Promote further development and diversification of the tourism industry. Low-key tourism opportunities along defined coastal routes i.e. Horrocks Kalbarri df Shire of Irwin Tourism Development Plan & Local Planning Strategy Prioritise and source funding for tourism related product and infrastructure development. Review of coastal camp sites within the Shire include in the review of the Local Planning Strategy _Plan_Scope.pdf Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning Tourism Strategy Investigate the provision of nature based camp sites with focus on Sandy Cape and Hill River (mouth) Undertake a planning study to evaluate potential areas through identification of opportunities and constraints Shire of Coorow 2012 Leeman and Green Head Townsite Local Planning Strategy & Local Planning Strategy small, low-impact camping or tourism facility possibly being providing at Little Anchorage Bay Shire recognises the potential to create, and be recognised as, a unique nature-based coastal destination offering recreational and ecological experiences to all visitors

6 MILLIGAN ISLAND COASTAL NODE The Shire of Coorow has been granted an amount of $375,000 for the development of Stage 1 of the Milligan Island Coastal Node, with no financial contribution required from municipal funds (rates). Stage One will involve: 1. Clearing the rehabilitated shack track 2. Bringing in gravel and creating a road and camping bays 3. Installation of long drop toilet buildings 4. Installation of fencing, bollards and signage 5. Installation of gazebos, BBQs and picnic furniture 6. Closing the Billy Goat Bay car park to camping A clearing permit has been applied for, and based on the experience of the other local governments involved, is expected to be approved. Clearing works are planned to commence February The Shire will do the bulk of the earthworks, but are likely to engage a local contractor to cart the gravel. Signage: Rules applicable to the area (eg no open fires, take all rubbish with you, length of stay, stick to formal tracks etc) Location of dump point behind Leeman Recreation Centre Promotion of caravan parks and other businesses in Green Head and Leeman Financial Impact on Ratepayers: The original proposal was for free camp sites, however based on community feedback to date, staff are recommending a fee of $10 per night These fees be used to pay for daily staff visits to the site and any maintenance and repairs required at the site, with surplus funds being put into a Tourism Facilities Reserve for the purpose of renewing or replacing tourist related infrastructure within the Shire In recommending these changes, staff are of the opinion that there should be no additional cost to ratepayers as a result of the project Until it is implemented, it is difficult to gauge how popular it will be, a conservative estimation of operating income/expenditure is shown below Income (pa) Average 10 campers per night - $10 x 10 vans x 365 nights $36,500 Expenditure (pa) Daily patrol by part time Ranger $25,000 Repairs/maintenance 5,000 Gas bottles 1,000 Long drop pump outs (2) 2,800 $33,800 Surplus to be transferred to Ablution Reserve (pa) $2,700

7 Financial Impact on Caravan Parks: The State Caravan and Camping Action Plan identified that there is an unmet need for self contained RV tourists, a market that does not typically stay in caravan parks. There has been a rise in illegal camping from people who are unwilling to stay in a commercial caravan park The nodes will only offer basic facilities (eco toilets, designated camp areas, signage, no rubbish bins, walkways) for up to 48 hours Over the past six years, just under 120,000 RVs were manufactured in Australia with the major growth segment being caravans that are nearly all self-contained and therefore do not need to access the facilities of a full service commercial caravan park Self contained RVs do not need to access the facilities of a full service commercial caravan park, however the Caravan Campervan Motor Home Association has a program called CMCA Dollar Wise Caravan Park Network which promotes caravan parks that offer a low cost, no frills package. This option is available to the local caravan parks Environmental Impact: The eco nodes will enable the Shires to manage the impact of free camping on the environment by designating areas whilst ensuring visitors can still get back to nature This project enables the local governments to proactively plan to accommodation increased visitation with basic facilities, protecting the sustainability of the sites and providing management around nature based camping A Heritage Assessment including Aboriginal, Flora and Fauna Report has been conducted for each site Access tracks will be better managed and moved away from the drifting dune. Old tracks will be rehabilitated The signage will improve visitor education of the local environs and promote responsible camping Expected Benefits to our communities: Better access to Billy Goat Bay (it will be made No Camping and the track to the beach will be re-opened) Reduced illegal camping Increased visitor numbers to Leeman and Green Head (Modelling by ACIL ALLEN indicates the coastal nodes could be expected to attract an additional 4,700 people per year to the region) Statistics from Tourism Research Australia, Evaluating the Caravan Park and Self Contained Traveller Sectors in Western Australia indicate that RVers tend to spend at least $50-$78 per day on goods and services in nearby towns One condition of funding is a buy local/regional price preference where possible Employment of a part time Ranger Future Stage 2 A funding application for Stage Two totaling $ million has been submitted for Royalties for Regions Funding which would allow for additional interpretive signage, camp kitchens, replacement of old and unsuitable drop toilets at popular sites (not in Coorow Shire), pedestrian walkways, rehabilitation and closure of unsafe areas, fencing to guide visitors, walking tracks, project management, evaluation of market impact and promotion of product.

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