Tourist icon competition

7/2/00
If you had $2 million to develop a nature-based tourism icon in the spectacular Karri forest what would you choose?
This is the question the State Government is putting to Western Australians in its bid to develop a new attraction that will boost tourism and community development in the Karri forest areas of Manjimup and Nannup.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today invited the people and communities of the South-West to submit their 'ideas' for such an icon through a concept competition.
The competition, managed by Contract and Management Services, is open to all individuals, families, schools, TAFE Colleges, universities and all interested community groups.
Ten entries will then be chosen as possible concept ideas by a Ministerial appointed judging panel. The closing date for entries is March 17.
Prizes to be won include five three-day family holidays at the Broadwater Resort in Busselton or Perth for best individual or family entries; a two-day guided visit to Perup Forest Ecology Centre for best primary school entry; and $500 towards any school excursion for best high school entry.
Mrs Edwardes said the State Government was looking for concept ideas that were:

• innovative;
• buildable;
• environmentally responsible;
• ecologically sustainable;
• provide enhanced visitor experience to the area;
• assist visitors to understand and appreciate the natural processes of the forest; and -
• provide tangible benefits to the local communities in the Manjimup/Nannup region.

"The idea is to create another 'icon' like the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, where people can experience the forest without any detrimental effect to forest values," the Minister said.
"The aim of the competition is to encourage everyone who lives and works within the South-West to come up with ideas for an 'icon' or 'icons' that capture the uniqueness of this forest area."
Mrs Edwardes said people needed to be aware that the scope of the competition would not be limited to one project, or one location - there could be multiple projects. However, the preferred site for a major project was the spectacular Karri forest of the Manjimup/Nannup region.
"Entries with ideas at other forest sites will also be considered. People are encouraged to use drawings, graphics or a model where possible," the Minister said.
"Expressions of interests will be called to develop the chosen 10 concept ideas further. Of these up to four finalists will be asked to develop more detailed plans."
Mrs Edwardes said the competition was part of the Coalition Government's commitment to develop new tourism opportunities in the South-West as part of the Regional Forest Agreement.
"It is hoped that the development of this new icon will increase visitor traffic through Nannup and Manjimup, boosting tourism and community development in the region and giving visitors an added attraction and experience," she said.
The Minister said the proposed forest icon was only one of a number of tourism initiatives the State Government had under way to boost and support the tourism industry in the South-West forest.
"Work is already under way on a $1 million innovative forest drive in the Karri forest, which will serve to link several major tourism attractions in the area and strengthen Pemberton's tourism industry," she said.
Information packages and entry forms for the Forest Icon Concept Competition can be obtained from CAMS on (08) 9721 2266 or Fax: (08) 9791 3058 or from visiting the Department of Conservation and Land Management's web page NatureBase at http://www.calm.wa.gov.au
Media contact: Carole Cowling on 9421 7777