The township of Gascoyne Junction, which was severely impacted by December's floods, is set to receive $3million in emergency funding to restore essential retail and tourist services.
As part of its Gascoyne Revitalisation Plan, $3million from Royalties for Regions will be allocated towards the $3.5million project to rebuild the Gascoyne Junction town centre and tourism facilities. The Shire of Upper Gascoyne will contribute the remaining $500,000.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the devastating effect of flood damage to Gascoyne Junction's town centre meant the project was urgent.
"Visitor accommodation and amenities are extremely limited in the area and the loss of these essential services at Gascoyne Junction has a significant impact for residents and visitors, and on the economics of the area," Mr Grylls said.
The Minister said floods had destroyed the historic Junction Hotel and the adjacent accommodation units, and severely damaged the attached store, service station and nearby caravan park.
Funding provided by Royalties for Regions will assist in delivering an integrated retail, tourism and accommodation development, including a tourist park featuring air-conditioned cabins; caravan park and camping ground; general store; a restaurant with provision for licensed premises; and a service station.
"Further enhancement of the Gascoyne Junction town centre will be achieved through the creation of a new main street, through the construction and extension of Scott Street to link with the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road. These roadworks will also provide Gascoyne Junction with a heavy haulage bypass road," Mr Grylls said.
All future building would occur only on land above the one-in-one-hundred-year flood level.
North West MLA Vince Catania said he was delighted at the State Government's announcement to provide funding to help rebuild Gascoyne Junction's commercial service facilities.
Mr Catania said the funding announcement, when combined with the completion of the sealing of the Carnarvon-Gascoyne Junction Road, would be a major boost to tourism, given the town's proximity to the Kennedy Range National Park, as well as providing much-needed food and fuel to the town's residents and surrounding pastoral stations.
Minister's office - 9213 7000
