Icon competition to develop South-West drawcard

31/5/00 The development of a new major tourist drawcard in the South-West forests in the Manjimup and Nannup area has taken a further step with the announcement of the winners of a public competition for innovative ideas for the project.

31/5/00
The development of a new major tourist drawcard in the South-West forests in the Manjimup and Nannup area has taken a further step with the announcement of the winners of a public competition for innovative ideas for the project.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today said the State and Federal Government had committed up to $2 million for the proposal under the Regional Forest Agreement.
Seventy-one entries were received and ranked against selection criteria by an independent judging panel.
The panel included Mrs Pat Barblett, member of the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority and President of the Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco Tourism; Mr Eddie Watling, member of the Tourism Council Australia; Mr Phil Bombak, a member of the Community Consultative Committee; Mr Henry Kudja, Regional Manager of the WA Tourism Commission; and Mr Jim Sharp, CALM's Director of Parks.
Mrs Edwardes said the public competition drew a wide range of suggestions including sculpture parks, laser light shows, bike trails, river trails, a virtual tree, railways, Aboriginal interpretive centre, theme parks, mazes and many variations on getting into the canopy of the forest such as lifts, gondolas, flying foxes, monorails and sky rails.
Suggested sites were mainly in the Diamond Tree area, One Tree Bridge area, and a steep part of the Donnelly Valley 30km west of Manjimup.
Six prizes for individuals and families were awarded in the form of a holiday provided by Broadwater Resorts, with education institutions attracting a $500 cash prize.
"In the next phase of the project, expressions of interest will be called for professional groups or other interested parties to put forward proposals to develop further, any one, part of, or a combination of the 71 concepts received in the public competition," Mrs Edwardes said.
"The budget for submissions can either be based on the use of the RFA funds, or on a larger budget supported by a business proposal. The business proposal may use the RFA funds as a component dedicated to provision of access and infrastructure on public land."
The Minister said a short list of suitable applicants would be invited to prepare a design concept for the project. It was expected that negotiations with the winning team would be undertaken to provide design development, documentation and supervise the construction phase of the development.
Mrs Edwardes said the invitation to prepare a design concept would be based on the guidelines used for the competition.
The project should:

  • include environmentally responsible planning, design, management and operation principles and demonstrate ecological sustainability;
  • provide an enhanced visitor experience, which includes interpretation leading to greater understanding the natural processes of the karri forest;
  • be located in karri forest on State Forest or Conservation Park in the Manjimup-Nannup region;
  • provide tangible benefits to local communities such as employment increased opportunities for local provision of services, facilities and products, and extra tourist volume and extended visit time; and -
  • have the potential to generate sufficient revenue to cover operating costs and depreciation.

Expressions of interest will be called on Saturday, June 17, and close on Friday, July 28. A tour of the potential sites will be conducted from Manjimup on June 30.
Mrs Edwardes said briefing packages would be available in mid June. Organisations interested in taking part could register with Contract and Management Services (CAMS); 8th Floor Bunbury Tower, 61 Victoria St, Bunbury WA 6280.

Media contacts: Ministerial:
Steve Manchee 9421 7777
CALM: Jim Sharp 9442 0304
WINNERS
Individuals
  • Tracy Churchill, Bentley - Karri Canopy Crane
  • Andrew Foulon, Rob McKenzie and Carey Rieball, Manjimup - Pedal and Paddle Concept for One Tree Bridge
  • David Jones, Darlington - International Environmental Sculpture Park
  • Mike Maher, Como - Network of Mountain Bike Trails Linking Forest and the Natural Watercourses

Family
  • Smith Brook Syndicate, Manjimup - Redevelopment of the Diamond Tree including the Wongi Mia Aboriginal Centre
  • Maata Jerup, Hamilton Hill - Wongi Mia Aboriginal Visitor Centre - Diamond Tree

High school
  • Willetton Senior High School - for Nannup Cable Car

TAFE College
  • South West Regional College of TAFE (Busselton Campus) - Techno Tree

Merit awards
  • Alison Cassanet and Kim Redman, Nannup
  • Roger Cheeseman, Pemberton
  • Margaret Hansen, Doubleview
  • Alan Lush, Manjimup
  • Jenny MacDonald, Northcliffe
  • Neil Taylor, Busselton
  • Heather Walford, Kieran Merritt and Nicky Hugo, Nannup
  • Brian and Noelene Swain, Subiaco
  • Koala Community Group, Quinninup
  • Pemberton Progress Association
  • Rotary Club of Manjimup
  • Kearnan College, Manjimup.