- McGowan Government provides long-term certainty for Araluen Botanic Park
- Funding boost to improve tourism infrastructure and help boost local jobs
- New lease arrangement provides management with better fundraising opportunities
A $300,000 funding boost and a new long-term management agreement is set to help tourism thrive at Araluen Botanic Park.
The new 10-year agreement will provide the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation with more certainty and autonomy to continue running the facility, while paying a token rent of one tulip bulb a year to the Western Australian Planning Commission.
The Foundation's annual funding will increase from about $850,000 to $1.05 million, while a one-off transfer of $300,000 is being provided to enhance tourism infrastructure and local employment opportunities at the park.
Event attraction and a long-term tourism strategy will also be developed.
A 10-year agreement, starting from July 1, 2018, signals greater certainty and stability for the park and Foundation, which previously had a year-to-year management agreement with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The shift in tenure to a lease arrangement will realise a range of benefits, including greater flexibility for the Foundation to seek further corporate sponsorship and lotteries grants.
The new arrangement is the result of a year-long process driven by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti and Armadale MLA Tony Buti, who worked directly with the Foundation to find a solution.
Originally established in 1929, Araluen has been owned by the State Government since 1990 and jointly managed with the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation.
The park comprises about 59 hectares of native bushland, of which 14 hectares are developed gardens.
Ongoing, day-to-day management of the park will remain in the hands of the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation, its staff and volunteers.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"The Araluen Botanic Park is a jewel in our picturesque Perth Hills.
"It has incredible potential, to help increase visitation, promote WA more generally and help continue to boost our local tourism industry.
"My Government is proud to work with, and support, the Foundation to help see that potential come to life at Araluen."
Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"I grew up in Roleystone and for decades Araluen has been a unique and beautiful place that is treasured by locals and attractive to visitors to WA.
"The Foundation met with myself and Dr Buti last year, and it is great to see the WA Planning Commission has confirmed the new arrangement in recent weeks.
"I am so pleased to be able to remove the cloud that has hung over the park's future, by securing this tenure arrangement that will guarantee funding for at least 10 years.
"This contribution will help to grow the Araluen experience, create local jobs and enhance the tourism offerings within the park."
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"Tourism forms a vital part of the McGowan Government's plan to create jobs and small business opportunities for Western Australians, and diversify our economy.
"Araluen and the surrounding hills form an important part of our messaging about attractions that are close to the Perth city, and imagery from the region features in several Tourism WA campaigns.
"Destination Perth, the City of Kalamunda, City of Armadale and Shire of Mundaring have also formed a Destination Partnership in order to develop a three-year plan to better brand and market the spectacular Perth Hills region."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Planning Minister's office - 6552 5500
Tourism Minister's office - 6552 5600
