Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP), along with Wayfound Consultants, are hitting the road during December to take stock of significant regional coastal access points, camping spots and wayfinding (signage) assets. We want to cast an eye over our immense region and learn where we stand.
Where is the ageing infrastructure? Can visitors find our iconic locations and service providers? Are there assets (particularly inland) that are under appreciated? Do we have a good touring route connection between our coastal and outback towns? Are we affording the right protection to plants and wildlife?
We will be venturing from Whyalla and surrounds to Border Village and everywhere in between. To maximise the value of this expedition, we would like your insight.
Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula residents, businesses and visitors are invited to share their views to add to the direction setting of future investment in our region.
Where do you go? What signs need work, what signs need removing, where would you put a new sign? Which is your favourite campground or caravan park and why? Where would you like further protections for coastal vegetation and wildlife? Do you think visitor information bays and public Wi-Fi would be a valuable addition to our towns and touring routes? Do you think we should share more of our cultural values and heritage through public art and visitor infrastructure?
Most importantly, please provide photographs and ideas to support your views – sure, have a go at what drives you mad but then tell us what might be a good way forward that strikes a balance between our economic and social advancement with environment and heritage conservation.
Look out for us on the road, say hello and please send us your ideas.
You can share your views online by visiting www.rdawep.org.au and completing the survey or visit one of our visitor information centres or outlets to obtain a hardcopy which you can post to:
Eyes on Eyre Project
Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula
89 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln SA 5606
This is a collaborative project between Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula and Natural Resources Alinytjara Wilurara.
Please share your thoughts by January 31 2018.
RDAWEP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dion Dorward said “Our visitor economy is currently at $300 million, we have a forecasted potential of $511 million if our region improves its foundation infrastructure and destination product”.
“There are 3,000 tourism industry jobs in Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, 1,500 direct and 1,500 indirect. This represents 6.4 per cent of regional employment.”
“Investment in public infrastructure benefits both the local and visiting population and our goal is to build upon and sustain both.”
Jade Ballantine, Special Projects Officer, RDAWEP said “We know visitors want an authentic experience and at the heart of Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula is a rich history of Aboriginal culture, European exploration and a shared tale of survival and innovation in some of the most rugged, ancient and remote wilderness that Australia has to offer”.
“Scratch the surface and our region has barely begun to share these experiences. Visitors are looking for high quality attractions that educate, are sensitive to the environment yet still enable that close and personal interaction.”
“If you look around South Australia and elsewhere, we are investing more and more in accessing natural phenomenon, understanding culture, building wilderness lodges, hut and camp style accommodation and mountain bike trails, and visitors are responding in their thousands.”
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW
For further information please contact RDAWEP on 08 8682 6588
