Launch of the 36th annual Kings Park Wildflower Festival

16/9/99
Millions of people will have the chance to see Western Australia's wildflowers over the next 12 months, starting with the 36th annual Kings Park Wildflower Festival.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today launched this year's festival, saying it was the launching pad for displays of WA flora at two prestigious international events to be held next year.
"Starting next March, there will be will be a six-month performance at Japan Flora 2000 which is an international gardening and landscaping exhibition," Mrs Edwardes said.
"This event is expected to attract an audience of five million people which is an incredible exposure on the world stage.
"WA's Botanic Garden and Parks Authority will also display at the renowned Chelsea Flower Show in May 2000."
Mrs Edwardes said the Kings Park Wildflower Festival, which runs until September 27, was now a major event on the Western Australian calendar with its display of beautiful wildflowers and the supporting displays of arts and crafts.
She said the number of people attending each year continued to increase. In 1998 the festival attracted more than 45,000 people and it is expected that figure will be exceeded this year.
"However, this is not surprising when you realise that WA has one of the richest flora on earth," the Minister said.
"This year there will be more than 700 species of wildflowers on display at the festival - just a sample of the State's 12,000 species.
"The total number includes 8,000 species in the South-West - 6000 of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
"The striking Everlastings, spectacular Kangarooo Paws, and delicate Native Orchids are just a few of WA's special floral attractions."
This year's festival will also feature 8000 plants available for sale.
Mrs Edwardes said the launch of the festival was also an appropriate time to provide details on a range of ongoing and planned projects in Kings Park.
She said the Government had committed more than $1.3 million to these projects.
They include:

• The redevelopment of the water garden, which is progressing, on time and on budget.
• A memorial marking 100 years of women's suffrage.
• Ongoing improvements to Fraser Avenue and the areas around the restaurant complex. Both improvements arose from the publicly reviewed framework plan launched in 1997.

Mrs Edwardes said the Wildflower Festival could not succeed without the volunteers who were the unsung heroes of Kings Park.
She commended the work of the Friends of Kings Park, Kings Park Guides, Friends of Bold Park Bushland and master gardeners.
The staff at Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Bold Park were also commended.
"The Kings Park Wildflower Festival is another example of how partnerships produce the best result," Mrs Edwardes said.
Media contact: Carole Cowling 9421 7777