Botanic staircase kicks off Kings Park Festival

• Botanic staircase to celebrate WA's unique and diverse plants

• Staircase completed by next year for 50th anniversary of the WA Botanic Garden

• Kings Park Festival officially launched today

A botanic staircase highlighting the State's impressive history of botanical discoveries will be created in Kings Park, along with a community pavilion, in celebration of the Western Australian Botanic Garden's 50th anniversary next year.

Making the announcement today at the official launch of the Kings Park Festival, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the staircase - or tiered walk - had been made possible thanks to a $1.867million Lotterywest grant to the Friends of Kings Park.

"The staircase will be a large-scale tiered walk with interpretive artworks that provide a history of botanical discoveries in WA, from plants used by the first Aboriginal inhabitants of our State, to the colonial period and today," Mr Jacob said.

"A celebration of this State's unique and diverse plants, the tiered walk will begin at the entrance to the WA Botanic Garden and sweep down the sloping lawns and gardens to a new community pavilion perched on the escarpment overlooking the Swan and Canning rivers.

"This new pavilion is expected to become a popular venue for community gatherings, weddings and other celebrations.

"The Friends of Kings Park will work with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority on the design and planning of the tiered walk which is still being finalised.  It will be completed in 2015, the year the WA Botanic Garden celebrates its 50th anniversary."

The Minister presented the Friends of Kings Park with the $1.867million Lotterywest cheque at today's official launch of the Kings Park Festival. The festival kicked off with a 'Santos Live Sundays' concert, with performances by Australian singer Christine Anu and local 11-piece band Stratosfunk.

"The Kings Park Festival is Australia's largest wildflower festival, packed with free family entertainment, interesting walks and talks and compelling exhibitions," he said.

"The Magic of Nature is the theme of this year's festival, which is set to attract about 600,000 visitors from WA and all around the world.  I encourage people to come to Kings Park during spring and enjoy all that's on offer."

      Fact File

      .     Highlight of festival for children will be the Fantastic Faraway Festival on September 20

      .     More information at http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5800