New staircases improve access to Cable Beach

• Community partnership delivers better visitor access to Cable Beach

• Purpose-built infrastructure protects important habitat for native animals 

Collaboration between Yawuru traditional owners, the Shire of Broome and the Department of Parks and Wildlife has improved visitor access to the world-renowned Cable Beach.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the recent completion of the Balarri and Birndany trail staircases and a viewing platform in between Banu Avenue and Howe Drive, along Gubinge Road, had improved access for tourists while conserving fragile sand dunes within Minyirr Park.

Mr Jacob said the innovative staircases benefited the community as well as protecting significant environmental and cultural sites.

"The staircases are vital in providing pedestrians with easy access through the tall sand dunes of Minyirr Park," he said.

The Minister said the community partnership highlighted the importance of the local community working together to achieve the right outcome.

The $284,000 project was managed by the Yawuru ranger team, and funded by the Yawuru joint management program and Lotterywest.

The Minister said the Yawuru rangers, through the Yawuru Park Council were implementing the terms of the historic native title determination of 2010 to manage Yawuru country for the broader community. 

"Parks and Wildlife is supporting Yawuru rangers in the completion of their Certificates in Conservation and Land Management in addition to learning traditional land management techniques from senior Yawuru people,' he said.

"The newly completed staircases are part of the greater Minyirr trail network, comprising about 10 kilometres of defined trails that the Yawuru rangers have been upgrading and improving over the last two years."

Fact File

• Western Australia is the only State where money raised from lottery products is distributed directly back to the community to support not-for-profit organisations

• Last financial year, Lotterywest raised $283 million to support the WA community

• For more about Lotterywest grants, visit http://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants  

Minister's office - 6552 5800