Member for North West Central Vince Catania is calling on the Labor Government to step up and provide much needed infra-structure in regional towns to maximise the full potential of the unique and fast approaching Solar
Eclipse event in April 2023.
Mr Catania said “our State’s North West is set to be thrust onto the world stage in April 2023 with Exmouth being one of only four locations worldwide to sit on the path of a rare total solar eclipse.”
Exmouth, one of very few vantage points across the globe will attract tens of thousands of visitors, as will other towns, particularly Coral Bay, Carnarvon, and Shark Bay. Travellers will be chasing a glimpse of the total solar
eclipse where the sun, moon and the earth’s discs will align for around 1 minute, 16 seconds, plunging the area into darkness.
“Everyone’s fully aware of the pressure small businesses have endured over the past two years, struggling to cope with no workers and no workers accommodation along with already stretched services such as health facilities, police, and emergency services, so the State Government would be naïve to think that any of the issues experienced have disappeared.
“Hosting one of the biggest Astro-tourism events in the world during the peak tourism season, while a’ boon’ for the State and region, will further exacerbate issues and risks across the communities and region.”
Already struggling to cope with deficient regional infra-structure during busy times, without upgrades, the enormous benefits to be gained from this 2023 event which will proceed with or without marketing, may well
jeopardised our State’s tourism brand.
To capitalise on the 2023 Total Solar Eclipse event and to build a sustainable industry able to grow and leverage from future tourism opportunities, the State Government need to understand the significance of this Astro-tourism and step up and provide:
- Financial support needed for:
• Headworks for a site to build workers accommodation in Exmouth.
• Local Governments need support for the 2023 Solar Eclipse event for items such as crowd control, cleaning up waste, additional Rangers to mention a few. - Telecommunication upgrades and investment in more mobile phone towers.
- Health, police and emergency services.
- Minilya/Exmouth road upgrade.
“With another five-billion-dollar surplus the Government should act immediately and leave a legacy for communities and businesses by providing critical infrastructure to help them grow and develop the regional WA tourism market.
“The McGowan Government needs to look past COVID and start planning for the future,” said Mr Catania.
