1/10/03
The Goldfields Esperance Region's Golden Quest Discovery Trail has won a prestigious national regional development award.
The 965km adventure drive connects Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Menzies, Kookynie, Leonora, Laverton, Broad Arrow, Ora Banda and Coolgardie.
It also passes through historic mining settlements and ghost towns, including Davyhurst, Mt Morgans, Gwalia, Siberia, and Malcolm.
Goldfields- Esperance Minister Tom Stephens today congratulated the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) on winning an award, last night at the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International (ANZRSAI) Conference in Fremantle.
"This Achievement in Regional Development Practice for 2003 award will focus attention on the impressive achievement of the GEDC and many organisations and individuals in the region," Mr Stephens said.
"The trail, which was only launched in May this year, is already bringing increased tourists and new investment to the Goldfields, especially the Northern Goldfields.
"This is an impressive achievement for a concept that began as an idea in April, 2000.
"The three years since then have seen more than $1million and many hours invested in feasibility studies, marketing and business plans, infrastructure and interpretation signage, a comprehensive guidebook, complete with audio CDs, and a carefully executed marketing campaign."
GEDC chief Mr Colin Purcell accepted the award on behalf of the GEDC Board and Staff and the Trail's major partners.
Mr Purcell thanked many contributors including:
- the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services;
- Main Roads Western Australia and the Department of Conservation and Land Management;
- the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Shires of Coolgardie, Menzies, Leonora and Laverton ;
- Anaconda, Croesus Mining NL and KCGM, and other non-Government partners, include the Goldfields Tourism Association, South Perth Four Wheel Drive Rentals and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council; and
- Maher Brampton and Associates and Barry Strickland who worked with the GEDC to develop the Trail and Guidebook
The award is sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services.
To find out more information about the Trail or to purchase the Guidebook, visit the Golden Quest Discovery Trail's website
http://www.goldenquesttrail.com/ Minister's office: 9213 6500
