Official opening of Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree (near Pemberton)

19/11/95

One of the great tourist attractions in the karri forests of the South-West has been enhanced with the creation of a 'trilogy' of lookout trees.

Environment Minister Peter Foss today officially opened the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree in the Warren National Park near Pemberton.

The tree joins the renowned Gloucester Tree, also at Pemberton and the Diamond Tree south of Manjimup as the only lookout trees open to the public to climb.

Mr Foss said the tree had been renamed to honour the years of service that former ALP member, Dave Evans had given to the people of Warren as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1968 to 1989.

"Dave Evans not only represented his electorate for 21 years, he gave unswerving support for balanced forest management both as a Minister and a member of the local community," Mr Foss said.

Warren MLA and Local Government Minister Paul Omodei said although Mr Evans had represented a different party from his, he was pleased Mr Evans' services to the people of Warren and the southern forests had been acknowledged in such a fitting way.

The Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree has a tower more than 60 metres above the ground - making it the highest tree of its type in the world - with a rest platform at about the half-way mark.

There are 130 climbing pegs and climbers are rewarded with magnificent views of up to 40 km away when they reach the top.

The tree primarily is a facility for park visitors but the Department for Conservation and Land Management will also use it as an operational fire lookout tower when CALM's spotter plane fleet cannot fly because of windy conditions.

Mr Foss said funding for the lookout trees had come from revenue earned in the region from visitor fees to national parks as well as from timber royalties through CALM's forest resources program.

During his visit to the South-West, the Minister also opened a new bridge at Beedelup Falls in the Beedelup National Park which had been funded by timber royalties, park fees and a $5,000 grant from the Karri Valley Resort.

"This reflects the close relationship between forest operations and tourism and the development of attractions and facilities will draw many thousands of tourists each year," he said.

Mr Foss also launched a new CALM publication - Karri Country - which will enhance the experiences of visitors to the karri forests.

The newspaper covers the major tourism attractions and describes how the southern forests are managed for many purposes including recreation, water catchment protection, nature conservation, fire protection as well as timber production.

"The extensive conservation network throughout the karri forests, with more than 46 per cent in national parks, nature reserves and special protection zones, will ensure these forests will continue to offer incredible tourism experience for future generations," Mr Foss said.

"The development of facilities like the lookout tree and the proposed developments such as the Great Forest Trees Drive in the Shannon National Park and the Forest Heritage Centre in Dwellingup is part of a $4 million tourist and recreation program by CALM to provide visitors with experiences they will find nowhere else in Australia or overseas.

"This will help diversify and strengthen the economies of the towns throughout the Warren region leading to long-term, sustainable jobs in the timber, forests and tourism industries."

Media contact:  Peter Harris 321 2222 or 222 9595