Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC has welcomed a $1.6 million Royalties for Regions investment in a new cultural, visitor and community precinct for Norseman.
Supported by the Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation Fund, the project will involve the repurposing of a vacant building into a modern visitor centre, community art space, café and library.
Mr Grills, who was in Norseman today to make the announcement on behalf of Regional Development Minister Terry Redman, said the project would support the development of the local tourism sector.
“With an increasing number of travellers passing through and growing appreciation of the Great Western Woodlands, tourism and visitation represent a major economic opportunity for the Shire of Dundas,” Mr Grills said.
“As home to the largest remaining area of intact Mediterranean climate woodland in the world, the Shire of Dundas is in a position to leverage this remarkable natural asset and develop new visitor attractions and experiences.
“This Royalties for Regions investment through the $198 million Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation Fund will help provide vital tourist infrastructure and encourage economic diversification in the region.”
Mr Grills said the new precinct would encourage visitors to explore the surrounding town and district while also providing a space for local artists to display and sell their work.
“The precinct will benefit both visitors and residents by providing a forum to exhibit local art and enhancing the local sense of community life and pride,” Mr Grills said.
“A vibrant community with unique attractions, products and stories enjoyed by local people is also highly attractive to visitors.”
Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman said the new precinct would provide a valuable cultural asset to Norseman and deliver an enhanced visitor experience that would support social and economic benefits for the region into the future.
“This is another example of how Royalties for Regions is helping to secure our State’s future by providing opportunities for growth that will create long-term benefits for regional communities,” he said.
“The Goldfields-Esperance Revitalisation Fund is helping build a social and infrastructure platform for the region’s economic development to drive growth and new investment to benefit future generations of West Australians.”
The total cost of the Norseman cultural, visitor and community precinct project is $2.7 million, comprising $1.6 million of Royalties for Regions funding.
