IMPROVED facilities await caravanners and campers visiting one of WA's
most popular national parks.
The $1.1 million upgrade at Conto campground in Leeuwin-Naturaliste
National Park, 20km south of Margaret River, has been officially opened by
Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Regional Development Minister Terry
Redman.
Funding was provided by the state government's Royalties for Regions
program under the four-year $21.05 million Parks for People initiative.
The upgrade includes 29 new camp sites, each with a fire ring and picnic
table, as well as new double-cubicle toilets and barbecue shelters.
There are also new and upgraded roads, signage and paths. The work brings
the total number of camp sites to 116.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park receives more than 3.2 million visits a
year.
Mr Jacob said it was the most visited national park in WA because of its
accessible location in the south-west, spectacular scenery and variety of
recreational activities on offer.
"People come to Leeuwin-Naturaliste to swim, snorkel, surf, fish, go
caving and bushwalking, take scenic drives and simply connect with
nature," he said.
"Now we have made it easier than ever to explore this special part of the
state, with improvements to the campground providing more sites and better
facilities for holidaymakers."
Conto joins Logue Brook, Gnaala Mia at Dryandra Woodland, Lane Poole
Reserve, Coalseam Conservation Park, and Cape Range and D'Entrecasteaux
national parks as the latest campground projects to be completed under the
Parks for People initiative.
The initiative is providing the public with low-cost, high-quality camping
and caravanning opportunities in WA's national parks and reserves.
Mr Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment into improving
facilities in national parks was helping boost visitor numbers to regional
WA.
"By making it more accessible and attractive for people to visit national
parks and reserves across the state, this program is helping to grow local
economies and cement regional WA on the map as a must-do tourism
experience," he added.
