Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Bungle Bungle: New tourist development
The state government is sponsoring the a new “safari camp” at Purnululu National Park.
The facility will be developed by a firm that responded to the government’s call for expressions of interest.
You can read ministers Faragher and Constable’s statement here:
Minister for Environment;
Minister for Tourism
1/9/10 Joint Media Statement
State Government announces world-class safari camp for the Bungle Bungles.
A new commercial safari camp catering for up to 20 visitors will be created in the foothills of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley.
Environment Minister Donna Faragher and Tourism Minister Liz Constable said the facility was the first to be created under the State Government’s innovative Naturebank program that aimed to develop low impact, sustainable nature-based tourism operations.
Mrs Faragher congratulated Intrepid Connections, a joint venture between Australian Pacific Touring and Intrepid Travel, which has been chosen to develop the site following a call for expressions of interest.
“We look forward to working with Intrepid Connections in this public-private partnership to create a best practice tourism facility at this significant location,” Mrs Faragher said.
“Purnululu National Park is renowned for its distinct cultural, geological and ecological features and was voted Western Australia’s top destination by the Royal Automotive Club WA (RAC).
“The Bungle Bungle massif is a fascinating landmark which attracts more than 26,000 visitors a year. Purnululu is truly one of WA’s famous attractions – internationally recognised on the World Heritage List.
“The development of a new safari camp at the Kurrajong site in the park will provide alternative accommodation to camping, offering a comfortable base for visitors to stay several days to enjoy the park and its wonderful scenery.”
Dr Constable said the new camp was a great example of how the Naturebank partnership between the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Tourism Western Australia worked to develop nature-based tourism in regional areas.
“Naturebank boosts WA tourism and also provides opportunities for indigenous investment, employment and capacity building while offering eco-friendly, sustainable accommodation and nature-based tourism experiences,” Dr Constable said.
“Through Naturebank, DEC and Tourism WA will continue to identify potential visitor accommodation sites and undertake due diligence to prepare these sites for release.”
Mrs Faragher said the Naturebank program would pave the way for world-class accommodation facilities at some of the most stunning and diverse attractions in the world, delivering varied opportunities for people to rediscover their national parks.
“The camps will be operated sustainably under long-term performance-based leases and licences that have measureable key performance indicators to ensure environmentally appropriate safeguards are in place.”
Intrepid Connections general manager Fleur Ulbrick said the joint venture partners were committed to a sustainable, long-term development strategy in WA.
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