Cape-to-Cape Track funding just the start: Kevin Lange

The State Government took a second bite of its promotional apple with funding news for the beleaguered Cape-to-Cape Track, but volunteers have confirmed progress is being made on the ambitious upgrade for the region’s beloved yet ailing walk.

The internationally coveted walk was last week listed among tourism attractions scoring more than $25 million, with others including Rottnest Island’s main jetty, Karijini National Park, and Wellington National Park.

However, pundits were quick to tell the Times the trumpeted $2.7 million for upgrades and improved signs was already announced in May last year, with the money confirmed in this month’s mid-year State Budget review.

Friends of the Cape-to-Cape Track chair Kevin Lange said last year’s money had started a new process to refresh the route, but those early investigations also revealed the track would need “significant ongoing funding” going forward, he said.

“The $2 million will not stretch to the multitude of identified, needed works,” Mr Lange said.

“Although it may seem a little slow, there is much planning that needs to be done to expend the funds in a manner that gives most outcome for the benefit of the track.

“A project manager has been appointed, a reference group of stakeholders has been formed and met several times,” he said.

“Specific target areas for work have been identified and agreed upon (and) quotes are being sort for the proposed works.

“Actual on-ground work has been completed to upgrade the access-for-more section of track from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Sugar Loaf Rock.”

Cape-to-Cape Explorer Tours founder Gene Hardy said support for the region’s coastal asset was appreciated by tourism operators such as himself.

“Obviously we are happy to see the Government committing to funding a regionally-important tourism asset and look forward to seeing the track improvements implemented by the department,” he said.

In the latest announcement, Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said ensuring attractions and infrastructure remained world-class was important for tourism in WA.

“Places like Rottnest Island and regions like the South West, North West and Coral Coast are already tourism hotspots attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, so we need to make sure they remain fit for purpose,” she said.

“Importantly, these improvements will also support our local operators, who rely on good infrastructure to keep attracting visitors.”

Close to 2.4 million people from interstate and overseas visited WA in the year ending September 2023, with more than a third visiting the Gascoyne, Kimberley or South West regions.

Volunteers supporting the track have called for extensive funding for years due to erosion and problems caused by high use.