Updated September 2011
Hopetoun to Hamersley Inlet
The Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement is a State and Federal Government funded project to enhance tourist access and facilities in the park and assist economic and social development in local communities. The State and Commonwealth Governments have both committed $20m to the project to deliver these outcomes:
- Sealing 16 km of existing roads from Culham Inlet to Hamersley Inlet;
- Improving road access and facilities of existing roads and car parks from Bremer Bay to Point Ann;
- Redeveloping associated spur roads, car-parks, day use areas and camping facilities;
- Enhancing signage and interpretive information;
- Developing a coastal walk trail linking Hamersley Inlet to Point Ann; and
The project is being managed by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Main Roads Western Australia.
Key Features and Benefits
The key benefits of the project include:
- Protecting jobs in Western Australia jeopardised by the economic downturn by investing in infrastructure;
- Protecting tourism infrastructure to support the economic sustainability of the Ravensthorpe regional area that has been impacted by the closure of the BHP Billiton's nickel operation; and
- Protecting the unique environment within the Fitzgerald River National Park by sensitive visitor facility management.
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Environmental Considerations
EXTRACTION OF ROAD BUILDING MATERIALS FROM LOT 6382, STEEREDALE ROAD, HOPETOUN, FOR THE FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – EPBC 2010/5684
In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 -Section 95A, Main Roads Western Australia gives notice of the following documents:
Main Roads Western Australia seeks the public’s written comments on the documents which refer to the potential impact of clearing of 5.0 ha of vegetation and the proposed offsets on the following Matters of National Environmental Significance:
- Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)
The proposed action involves clearing 5.0 hectares of vegetation, located at Lot 6382 Steeredale Road Hopetoun Western Australia, for the purpose of extracting road building materials for use within the Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement Project.
The comment period closed on 30 April 2011.
We thank you for your interest in this process. If you have any further queries, please contact GSR’s Senior Project Manager on phone: (08) 9892 0521.
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Roads
The roads at the eastern end of the park will be upgraded first focusing on Hamersley Drive through to Hamersley Inlet.
Road improvements also extend to various spurs within the section between Hamersley Drive and Hamersley Inlet including;
- Barrens Beach Access
- Four Mile Beach Access
- Mylies Beach Access
- East Mylies Beach Access
- West Beach Access
- West Beach Point Access
- Hamersley Inlet Access
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Visitor Infrastructure
Landscape architects working closely with interpretation staff are analysing and designing upgraded facilities at the eastern and western ends of the park including camping areas, day use areas, walk ways and lookouts. Construction will be undertaken by the Department of Environment and Conservation directly engaging local contractors.
The visitor facilities at the following sites are planned to be upgraded:
- Park entries at eastern and eastern ends
- Hamersley Inlet
- Point Ann
- Four Mile Beach
- Barrens Beach
- East Mount Barren
- East Mylies Beach
- Mylies Beach
- West Beach
- West Beach Point
- St Marys Inlet
- scenic pull-over bays and lookouts
Additional sites are also under consideration.
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Coastal walktrail
A coastal walktrail will be developed, linking Point Ann to Hamersley Inlet. Walktrail concept consultants are researching:
- previous walktrail usage
- future walktrail usage
- tourism options
- physical nature of landscape
- risks to environmental impact
- construction methods
- walktrail standards
- visitor risk assessment
- community consultation
- interpretation opportunities
The final walktrail will include trail markers and trail facilities with overnight camping facilities a days walk apart.
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Further information
For more information about the Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement Project please visit Department of Environment and Conservation website (www.dec.wa.gov.au/frnp).
Or contact:
- Adnaan Abrahams
Project Coordinator
Department of Environment and Conservation
Albany (08) 9842 4500
Alternatively you may write to:
- Fitzgerald River National Park Improvement Project
Main Roads WA
PO Box 503
Albany WA 6330
Or contact:
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