Official opening of last section of famous Bibbulmun Track

September 13, 1998

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today cut a ribbon to signal the official opening of the last section of Western Australia's famous Bibbulmun Track.

The opening also marked the completion of the 960km trail, ending years of work by volunteers and Government agencies.

Mrs Edwardes said the new complete track extended from Kalamunda on the outskirts of Perth to Albany on the south coast, winding through WA's magnificent forests and spectacular southern coastline.

In Albany today, the Minister opened the 'southern' portion of the track from Brockman Highway to Walpole and the extension across the south coast to Albany.

To mark the celebration, the Minister farewelled teams of bushwalking enthusiasts who planned to walk the entire 960km of the completed trail.

"The Bibbulmun Track is one of WA's great natural tourist attractions," the Minister said.

"While the track is enjoyed by thousands of people every year for picturesque short walks and weekend camps, to others it is one of the world's great long distance adventures.

"The new, complete track will attract thousands of tourists, providing a significant boost to small towns and communities near the trail."

The Building a Better Bibbulmun Project is an initiative of the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) and has involved a wide range of local community groups, other Government agencies and corporate sponsors.

Funding for the project has come from almost $2 million in sponsorship and grant funds and approximately $3 million of 'in kind' contributions from CALM, the Ministry of Justice, DEET programs, bush walking clubs, volunteer groups, service clubs, the Army Reserve and individuals.

Sponsors include Ministry of Justice, Trails West, the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track, Alcoa of Australia, Regional Development Commissions, Employment Training programs, Worsley Alumina, Griffin Coal, Hedges Gold, Random Access, CSBP and Farmers, Mountain Designs, BP Australia, Alpha West, Midland Brick, Cullity Timbers and the Gordon Reid Foundation (Lotteries Commission). The Federal Government's Regional Development Program has contributed $1.38 million through the Southern Province Projects Group over two years for the program.

The Lotteries Commission also had granted $136,500 to the Friends of the Bibbulmun Track for a range of maintenance, management and marketing initiatives. The Friends and CALM has produced two videos that promote the track and tell intending walkers how to have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Since work began on the new track four years ago, there has been major improvements to facilities, built by CALM staff, prisoners, people engaged in employment and training programs, and local community groups. A total of 48 new campsites - with sleeping shelters, toilets, rainwater tanks, discreet tent areas and tables - has been created.

Mrs Edwardes said the track was part of an integrated program by CALM to create greater opportunities for nature-based tourism experiences.

As part of the Bibbulmun Track project, CALM has produced a new series of coloured maps that are now available to the public. These maps, along with other CALM publications such as its BushBooks field guides, help walkers interpret the many different aspects of the forest they would discover along the way. A new track guide for the northern section from Kalamunda to Brockman Highway has been released and a guide for the southern section will be available later this year

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777, 0413 051 072