Premier opens $4 million visitors' centre in Karijini National Park

22/6/01
Traditional owners joined Premier Geoff Gallop today to open a $4 million visitors' centre at Karijini National Park in the Pilbara.
Representatives of the Banyjima, Kurrama and Yinhawangka people gave a traditional welcome to Dr Gallop and other visitors to the State's second biggest national park.
Dr Gallop and Wobby Parker, a Banyjima Elder, together officially opened the centre - a joint project of the Karijini Park Council, the Pilbara Development Commission and the Department of Conservation and Land Management.
The Premier said the Karijini Visitors' Centre was an example of involving the State's indigenous people in the management of one of the State's major natural attractions. It also was an example of the new direction his Government would be taking in respect of Aboriginal involvement in management of the State's conservation estate.
"The Government will be further strengthening this direction through amending the Conservation and Land Management Act to include a specific reference to indigenous people and joint management of conservation lands and waters," he said.
"We are committed to implementing meaningful joint management strategies for conservation reserves in full consultation with indigenous people. This includes joint decision-making and providing employment and training opportunities.
"Hamersley Range National Park was renamed Karijini National Park in 1991 following the then Labor Government's decision to recognise Aboriginal traditional owners and enable joint management of the park between CALM and the Karijini Aboriginal Corporation."
Dr Gallop said the development of a permanent visitors' centre was first mooted in 1992 and set as one of the highest priorities for tourism development in the Pilbara.

"Now that it has become a reality, it will become the focal point for the establishment of Aboriginal cultural tourism enterprises while tourists will have the opportunity to learn about the park's natural, cultural and historical values," he said.
"Its official opening today celebrates the joining of cultures to promote the environment in a way which is relevant to people from all walks of life."
Dr Gallop said the centre was staffed by local Aboriginal people who were being encouraged and assisted to create Aboriginal cultural tours throughout the park.
"Karijini - an Aboriginal name depicting the mountain range that runs through the park - beckons tourists and explorers alike, attracting 55,000 visitors each year," he said.
"A bitumen road has been built through the park to link the mining town of Tom Price to the Great Northern Highway. This road also improves access for visitors to the park and park visitor numbers are increasing."
The park is characterised by red rocks, spinifex, gorges, mystical pools, Western Australia's two highest mountain peaks - Mt Meharry and Mt Bruce (Bunurrunha) - and plunging waterfalls softened by lush ferns in a harsh landscape of gorges and arid country.
Before the new centre was built, a marquee was used as a temporary visitors' facility.
Dr Gallop said the design of the new centre was distinctive. The building suggested a goanna on the ground seeking shade from the hot sun, while curved walls represented rocky escarpments created by geological forces and weathering over time.
Built from deliberately rusted steel, the building was constructed by Pilbara company Wylie and Skene Pty Ltd.
Designed by Perth architectural firm Woodhead International BDH, it has already been earmarked by industry peers, winning this year's Royal Institute of Architects' BHP Colorbond Steel Award for the innovative use of steel in architecture, and the use of steel products.
Half the centre is devoted to interpretive displays depicting Aboriginal culture and the park's native flora and fauna. A theatrette, shop, library, ablutions and offices complete the building.
Funds for construction came from the Pilbara Development Commission ($3 million), CALM ($200,000), the Department of Commerce and Trade's Wittenoom-Karijini Fund ($200,000) and the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources ($500,000).
Dr Gallop said Karijini National Park was recognised as an outstanding natural attraction of international significance and was listed by the Australian Heritage Commission on the Register of the National Estate.
Media contact: Kieran Murphy 9222 9475