Unveiling of rejuvenated parkland and memorial area in Kings Park

25/1/99

Kings Park unveiled its Australia Day gift to the people of Perth today - a rejuvenated parkland and memorial area in the heart of the park.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes inspected the rejuvenated area surrounding the State War Memorial today.

Mrs Edwardes said Kings Park staff were to be congratulated on significantly improving what is a very popular area of the park among visitors and tourists.

She said it was particularly pleasing that the area - one of the best vantage points for tomorrow night's Lotto Skyworks - was open in time for the Australia Day celebrations.

"Kings Park is one of Perth's most popular tourist attractions," the Minister said.

"This facelift to the heart of the park is a fantastic Australia Day present to the people of Perth."

Mrs Edwardes said the $330,000 improvements included a large area of worn grass being re-turfed, the establishment of attractive and functional pathways connecting visitor points of interest to replace dirt tracks; and the installation of a night time bore water reticulation system to avoid watering during the day.

The works also provided for the first time wheel chair access to the State War Memorial.

The area was closed to the public for 12 weeks to allow the works to be completed.

The Minister said this was the first fully co-ordinated beautification works on Fraser Avenue since early this century.

Other capital works planned for Fraser Avenue over the next 12 months included road resurfacing, improving bus access and generally making the area more pedestrian friendly.

These works were in accordance with the Centennial Enhancement Project Framework Plan for the Developed Areas launched by the Minister in 1997. The plan involved widespread input from the community and reference groups.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell - 9421 7777