Margaret River leaders unite to support recovery from Calgardup bushfire

Shire leaders have presented a united front to guide the recovery of the bushfire-devastated Boranup Forest, with an emphasis on future management by the Wadandi. Ironically, the razing of dense bush around the Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association’s Mammoth and Lake Cave attractions could also further the tourism group’s Karri Bowl project. As the Times reported last year, MRBTA in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions want to develop an integrated walk trail and interpretive centre near the Boranup. As part of recovery efforts and to support tourism ventures dependent on the Calgardup region, stakeholders released a six-point plan last week. Augusta-Margaret River Shire president Paula Cristoffanini said key agencies would co-ordinate rehabilitation and protection of the area. Signatories include the Shire, MRBTA, Nature Conservation Margaret River, the Margaret River Wine Association and the Undalup Association. “We have collectively sought support from the State Government to assist with funding and we can report that our draft concept plans have been well-received,” Cr Cristoffanini said. “Our whole community has experienced a significant loss of a much-loved and highly valuable forestry. Many of us will feel heartache and sense of grief over the devastation,” she said. “Let us harness that feeling and create opportunity to rebuild, restore, rehabilitate and create even better management of the localities into the future. It is so important for us, and for future generations to come.” MRBTA co-chief executive Sharna Kearney said “firefighters did an incredible job” to save vital infrastructure at Mammoth and Lake Cave. Mammoth would re-open this week, but damage to costly boardwalks at Lake Cave would require work before an Easter re-opening. “While the main building is intact, significant sections of the boardwalk from the main building to the cave entrance have been damaged and will need to be repaired,” she said. “It is a significant setback for the organisation, having experienced declined visitation at the caves and lighthouses over the past two years due to Covid, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse tower also being closed until Easter due to scheduled refurbishment.” The Times last week also reported businesses and wineries near the Boranup were concerned about the effects on the tourist trade. The new six-point plan proposed joint Aboriginal management of the National Park, funding to restore the forest to full health, preserving the role of caves, flora and fauna in the region’s health and biodiversity, exploring fresh tourism options, maintaining an east-west corridor through the forest now possible due to the fire, and “to introduce and trial traditional Wadandi burning to the forest now that the fuel load has been eliminated”. Financial support for affected businesses would also be sought from the Government.