MEDIA RELEASE 19th April 2024
Collie and Dwellingup Crowned as WA’s Premier Trail Towns!
Time to get out and about on your next trail-cation! Trails WA Inc., in collaboration with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), is excited to introduce Collie and Dwellingup as WA’s premier Mountain Bike Trail Towns.
The Trail Town initiative aims to boost Western Australia’s regional centres by promoting these towns as tourism hotspots and showcasing how these communities have a strong connection to their local trail networks.
Comments attributed to Sports and Recreation Minister David Templeman, “The growing investment by the Western Australian State government in developing a network of world-class trails is gaining momentum for recreation and tourism. This initiative aims to connect people and communities, foster partnerships and business networks, and offer authentic experiences of regional Western Australia to both locals and visitors from afar.”
The Trail Town standards, developed in partnership with DBCA and DLGSC, are the backbone of this initiative and cover criteria such as trail infrastructure, landscapes, tourism marketing, maintenance, and community engagement. By meeting these rigorous standards, regional towns can earn the esteemed title of a WA Trail Town and proudly display the Trail Town logo in their promotions.
According to Suzanne Hillier, Chairperson of Trails WA Inc., “The Trail Town initiative goes beyond mere recognition; it focuses on transformation. By embracing these standards, towns can reimagine themselves as vibrant activity hubs, attracting visitors, driving commerce and fostering community pride”.
The benefits of achieving WA Trail Town status are numerous. It not only enhances visibility among outdoor enthusiasts but also draws destination trail users and holidaymakers – making it easier for them to plan their next trail-cation. Additionally, it gives Trail Towns a distinct identity within the state’s trail networks.
The accreditation process is designed to be inclusive and supportive, offering guidance to help towns enhance their appeal to trail visitors. Through consultations with Trails WA, DBCA and DLGSC and expert assessments, towns receive personalised support to improve their trails tourism offer.
As the Trail Town initiative gains traction, it is set to bring renewal to Western Australia’s regional centres. Each trail town stands as a symbol of excellence, promising a bright future filled with opportunities. For more information on our new Trail Towns, visit trailswa.com.au/trailtowns
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Media Contact: Trails WA – Agata (Ag) Sleeman | M: 0424 80 5577 | E: ExecOfficer@trailswa.com.au
Media Contact Dwellingup – Kelvin Barr, Trails Officer – Shire of Murray | M: 0407 137 266
Media Contact Collie – Ian Miffling, Shire President – Shire of Collie | M: 0417 500 042