The Shire of Lake Grace has received $36,000 from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund to boost astrotourism across six Local Governments. The Shire applied for the funding on behalf of six Local Governments across the Wheatbelt and Mid-West regions.
Pictured above (left to right): Alan George, Shire of Lake Grace Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Peter Stoffberg, local astrophotography enthusiast; Denise Gobbart, Shire of Lake Grace Chief Executive Officer; and Carol Redford, Founder Astrotourism WA.
The Astrotourism Towns project will deliver six community stargazing events and a plan to develop a stargazing tourism trail, to grow regional astrotourism activities and businesses in the Shires of Chittering, Coorow, Lake Grace, Northam, Wagin and West Arthur.
The funding will build on the support from the founding project partners, the City of Greater Geraldton and the Shires of Carnamah, Dandaragan, Mingenew, Moora, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs and Wongan-Ballidu.
Cr Jeanette De Landgrafft, President of the Shire of Lake Grace said, “The Astrotourism sector is a new layer for WA’s regional Tourism Industry. Using our world-class dark night sky asset to attract visitors from brightly lit cities around the world will increase overnight stays in regional WA. This will be a significant boost to local economies.”
The full media release from the Shire of Lake Grace can be downloaded here…