State Government determined to maximise tourism benefit from Lake Argyle redevelopment

19/06/04
The State Government is determined to ensure that the Western Australian tourism industry gets full benefit from a plan to redevelop tourist facilities at Lake Argyle in the State's north.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today that the Government had again called for expressions of interest in the redevelopment of the Lake Argyle Tourist Village at Lake Argyle.
Expressions of interest were called in September 2003 but the State Government was not satisfied that the proposals were of the standard that this premium site deserved.
The Government is determined to get a high quality facility for the area and is now offering an extended lease term, now offering 50 years to the successful developer instead of 21 years as first proposed.
Ms MacTiernan said the tourist village, located on 10ha of land overlooking picturesque Lake Argyle, presented a unique tourism development opportunity with the potential to attract a significantly larger number of tourists to the area.
"As Australia's biggest inland waterway and home to a wealth of wildlife including a significant number of bird species, an estimated 50,000 people already visit Lake Argyle every year," she said.
"The redevelopment of the tourist village is an opportunity to boost visitor numbers and significantly enhance the experience of those travelling to the lake to enjoy the area's natural beauty and the environment of the protected wetland.
"The redevelopment will provide a new focus for the already strong and growing tourism industry in the North-West."
The Lake Argyle Tourist Village was established from the buildings used by workers during the damming of the Ord River in 1972 and includes 24 motel units, a public bar and dining room, caravan park and camping ground.
The Minister said the plan to redevelop the tourist village included consideration of the existing commercial operations in the area.
"The successful developer will have demonstrated that the redevelopment will not adversely impact on the existing tourist and aquaculture operators based at the lake," she said.
Kimberley MLA Carol Martin said the plan offered an outstanding opportunity to establish the lake as one of the State's tourism icons.
"The redevelopment will give people visiting this part of WA the experience of a lifetime," Ms Martin said.
"It will also create more jobs for local people and provide a boost to the regional economy."
Following the removal of the existing built accommodation on site and upgrades to the caravan park and camping ground the successful developer will be offered a 50-year lease over the 10ha area of crown land.
Developers have been asked to submit expressions of interest to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure before July 30, 2004.
For more information about the redevelopment, phone the department on (08) 9347 5020 or visit http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au and click on to crown land.
Minister's office: 9213 6400