Walpole lookout named in memory of leading law officer Graham Delaney

12/9/98

The memory of one of Western Australia's leading law officers, who had a special expertise in environmental law, has been dedicated with the naming of the Graham Delaney Lookout and Walk at Walpole on the Western Australian south coast.

Attorney General Peter Foss today named the lookout which has views over the Nornalup Inlet from a rise above Coalmine Beach. The walk wends for four kilometres to an existing lookout at Hilltop, east of the town, where visitors can view the inlet, Southern Ocean, Frankland River and Casuarina Isles.

The Graham Delaney Lookout and Walk are part of the new Bibbulmun Track, a 960km walk trail that extends from Kalamunda near Perth, through Walpole and across the south coast to Albany.

Mr Delaney, who was Deputy Crown Solicitor, died in March this year. He was regarded as a brilliant lawyer who made an outstanding contribution to law and in particular environmental law in Western Australia.

"He had a strong affinity with the Walpole area where he regularly spent his holidays with his family, and the Delaney Walk typifies many of the sections of the new Bibbulmun Track," Mr Foss said.

"Mr Delaney was involved with the development of the track giving advice to CALM on the construction of the track through nature reserves.

"Although the track is one of the world's great long-distance trails, it includes many short sections which people can walk in just a few hours.

"In this way, people who do not have time to walk the whole track, can enjoy many different sections on day or weekend trips.

"The Bibbulmun Track had been built by the Department of Conservation and Land Management with assistance from many community groups, other Government agencies, prisoners, volunteers and the private sector.

"The Ministry of Justice, Offender Management Division, has had a direct role in building several of the 48 overnight camping spots along the track, as well as constructing several hundred kilometres of trail.

"It has been a particularly worthwhile project, especially in terms of providing self esteem to the prisoners who have been involved and reparation to the community.

"Mobile work camps are continuing to be used in the Walpole region with great success and a number of communities are beginning to realise the value of them."

Media contact: Chris Morris: 9321 2222