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Tourism is an important and growing industry, providing more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs within the region. More than 120 commercial tourism operators offer a wide range of activities and nearly 2.4 million visits are made to the South-West each year. Tourists spend about $250 million in the region annually and international tourism to the region is likely to increase by at least 8 per cent a year.
The RFA provides $17.5 million for tourism, including:
- $2 million for a major new tourist attraction in the Donnelly River Valley, in conjunction with the Manjimup and Nannup Shires and business communities. The development will feature some of the world's tallest karri trees.
- $2 million for three eco-lodge camping and chalet sites established in conjunction with the private sector to provide moderately priced accommodation and quality forest experiences. Possible locations include the Warren River valley (and Big Brook Dam) near Pemberton, the Blackwood River valley between Nannup and Margaret River, the Donnelly River valley between Manjimup and Nannup.
- $1 million for a new Scenic Drive in the Pemberton area that will link a series of existing tourist attractions in the forest, including Beedelup, Hawke and Warren National Parks, the 100 Year Forest and Big Brook Dam.
- $1 million for tourism development at the Wellington Dam. The purchase of private land surrounding the dam at a cost of $9.5 million has increased the opportunity for recreation and tourist developments including campsites and day visitor facilities. This, combined with the Potters Gorge private hotel/chalet project, will be a significant boost for tourism in the Collie region.
- $2 million for sealing Mowen Road between Nannup and Margaret River.
The RFA helps create other opportunities for expansion of tourism in areas such as:
- Forest blocks near Margaret River, Bridgetown, Walpole and Denmark
- Blackwood River valley, near Nannup
- Hawke Block adjoining Warren National Park, near Pemberton
- Dombakup and Northcliffe adjoining D'Entrecasteaux National Park
Minerals
Generating $2.68 billion and directly employing 8118 people in 1995-96, the mining industry makes a major contribution to the regional economy. Almost half the RFA region has moderate to high mineral potential and is covered by State Agreement Acts and mineral tenements under the Mining Act. The region has world class resources in bauxite, gold, coal, tantalum, spodumene and mineral sands.
- Through consultation with the mining industry, RFA reserves have been chosen to minimise direct conflict with known mineral deposits and existing mining leases and tenements where possible.
- The agreement provides certainty of access through the identification of defined land tenures. This will give the industry confidence to invest in new mineral exploration and mining.
Other forest-based industries
The forests are also important for a range of smaller businesses including beekeeping, floriculture, biotechnology and basic raw materials such as sand, limestone and gravel.
Under the RFA:
- All these industries are taken into consideration, balancing their needs with the creation of new reserves.
- For example, wildflower pickers who may be affected by the creation of large reserves in native forest between Walpole and Denmark will be able to continue their picking, under strict conditions, until the reserves are formally established.
- Beekeepers will benefit from the reservation of an additional 45,700 hectares of old growth forest. Access to existing apiary sites in conservation reserves will be permitted until new reserves are established. Ongoing management issues will be addressed in the next management plan for each reserve.
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