Dwellingup Trails project get funds to ahead

THE Dwellingup National Adventure and Trails Centre project is now a reality after a successful funding application under the Building Better Regions Fund.

Canning MHR Andrew Hastie said it was a great result and evidence that the strong grassroots advocacy of the Peel region was being heard in Canberra.

“I’ve been working for some time with Shire of Murray President Cr Maree Reid and CEO Dean Unsworth on the Dwellingup Trails Centre.

“This project is a worthy recipients of BBRF funding that will service and strengthen our local communities.”

The announcement of $1,279,129 in Federal funding is a 50 per cent contribution to match the Shire of Murray in transforming the Dwellingup History and Visitor Information Centre into a national standard trails hub.

The project is part of a bigger overall plan developed by the Shire to transform Dwellingup into a tourist town of national and international significance.

The building will be transformed into a visionary servicing centre with associated trails related amenities and infrastructure. This includes upgraded toilets and showers, gift and bike shop, laundry, lockers, an operator and tours hub, RV vehicle dump point and significantly improved parking, signage and pathways infrastructure.

Shire President Maree Reid said the funding was just the boost the Shire needed, as it grapples with a sluggish economy and high unemployment.

“This project is something council is fully supportive of, particularly as the trails market is very lucrative,” she said.

“This building upgrade, the adjacent adventure park development and the future State Government trails upgrades will create 59 full-time equivalent jobs.”

The Shire has also planned for a major skate park, pump park, adventure playground, increased barbecue and playground equipment and is also planning to relocate the unused Hotham Valley turning platform and pedestrian rail bridge from Pinjarra to Dwellingup.