New trails car park set to boost local tourism

New trails car park set to boost local tourism

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Jarrahdale Heritage Society president Diana Henniker, Darling Range MLA Hugh Jones, Peel Development Commission representative Marnie Bennett, Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale deputy president cr Tricia Duggin and cr Reece Jerrett, Peel Development Commission chair Myrianthe Riddy and Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale trails coordinator Pascal Veyradier at Gooralong Carpark.

Hikers and nature enthusiasts have been given better accessibility with the completion of a new carpark on Atkins Street.

The Gooralong Carpark is meant to make it easier for visitors to access Kitty’s Gorge trail within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

The carpark has 30 spaces and aims to ease parking overflow and protect the surrounding Serpentine National Park.

Shire president Rob Coales said the new carpark will help establish the shire as a recognised Trail Town, along with other local areas including Kalamunda, Dwellingup and Mundaring.

“The new Gooralong Carpark is a great win for Jarrahdale,” he said.

“It makes it easier for people to enjoy the trails, takes pressure off the National Park, and helps us take another step towards becoming a recognised Trail Town.

“It’s been designed with the environment in mind and shows how the Shire is delivering practical projects that support both our community and our natural spaces.”

Along with the State Government and Grasstrees Australia, the shire designed the carpark to minimize environmental impact to protect majority of the natural vegetation, as well as wildlife including the native black cockatoos.

Some of the grass trees in the area were up to 200 years old, and any trees which were removed have been salvaged to be repurposed in future landscape projects