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Project Eden Phase III planning under way |
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Saturday, 22 February 1997 |
Peron Peninsula will soon be internationally known as a world-class, nature-based
tourism and conservation estate.
Peron Peninsula will soon be internationally known as a world-class, nature-based
tourism and conservation estate.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today said planning was already under
way for the third phase of Project Eden - turning the Peron homestead precinct
into a nature-based tourism precinct.
Project Eden is the Department of Conservation and Land Management's (CALM)
bold plan to turn Peron Peninsula, in the Shark Bay World Heritage area,
into a haven for native animals.
"This phase of Project Eden will focus on integrating the conservation
efforts being undertaken on the peninsula with tourism," Mrs Edwardes
said.
"It will involve renovating the Peron Homestead precinct into an interpretative
and tourist facility, where visitors will be able to experience first-hand
the process undertaken to restore the peninsula's flora and fauna which
have been devastated by introduced predators such as foxes, feral cats
and rabbits.
"The 1950s homestead will be restored and turned into an accommodation
facility for schools groups, while the old overseer's quarters will be
used as an interpretative facility for Francois Peron National Park."
Mrs Edwardes said all changes and restorations to the buildings would be
done in harmony with the area's heritage and pastoral characteristics.
She said CALM had already allocated $25,000 to rebuild the overseer's quarters.
This, along with the assistance of young people provided through the Federal
Government's Green Corps program, would enable work to begin this year.
The work would include recladding the overseer's quarters building, replacing
walls and incorporating wheelchair access throughout the building.
"The department is currently seeking funding to produce interpretative
exhibits and private sector sponsorship to help complete Project Eden's
third phase," the Minister said.
"As the Peron precinct is transformed, visitors will be able to learn
about Project Eden and its different phases, observe native animals in
the wild and discover the heritage and history of the area.
"By turning Peron Homestead into a nature-based tourism attraction,
besides spreading the word of conservation, it can support itself financially
and contribute to conserving wildlife."
The Minister said Project Eden was one of a number CALM projects that aimed
to combine tourism, recreation and conservation.
It was part of the Western Shield project which aimed to control foxes
and feral cats over 5,000,000ha of conservation lands across the State.
"Once reintroductions of native species are successfully completed
and Peron Homestead and its facilities are renovated, Shark Bay will be
internationally known for Peron Peninsula where native animals roam freely
without threat - an Australian first," Mrs Edwardes said.
Media contact: Diana Russell Coote (09) 421 7777 |
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