Western Australian Heritage Icons 2004: Connecting A Community

The Hon. Geoff Gallop, Premier, Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

Kings Park and Botanic Garden named third Western Australian 175th Anniversary icon

Western Australia's most popular tourist and visitor destination, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, has been named as the third Western Australian icon as part of the 175th Anniversary celebrations.

Premier Geoff Gallop said the park was an obvious and popular choice for icon status - in recognition of its important social and historical value to the community. The park had been nominated by the National Trust as an icon.

"There is no doubt that Kings Park is treasured by Western Australians - as a key location for family gatherings and recreation as well as a place of remembrance of those who served their country.

"Its native bushland setting, combined with its panoramic views of the city and Swan River, have seen visitor numbers grow to more than five million a year, making it WA's number one tourism spot."

The Premier said the area's significance as an important meeting place was first recognised by the Nyoongar people - which named the Mt Eliza area Moora Katta.

"The area's unique qualities were also recognised by the colony's first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, who earmarked the Mt Eliza area as land to be set aside for public purposes.

"Unfortunately, Roe's plan was overturned for some 30 years - and the area was extensively logged for its jarrah for public buildings, including Government House.

"Luckily, in the end Roe's vision prevailed and in 1871, 175ha of the area was gazetted as public space."

First known as Perth Park when officially opened in 1895, it was renamed to Kings Park in 1901 to mark the accession to the throne of King Edward VII and the visit to WA by his son, the Duke of Cornwall and York.

In 1965, the 17ha Botanic Garden was established in Kings Park. The Botanic Garden focuses on the display of Western Australia's unique and wonderful flora.

Dr Gallop said the development of the park over the years as a site for war memorials had given it particular significance to the community.

"Kings Park is not only home to the State War Memorial, but many other war monuments, including more than 1,000 trees with plaques remembering fallen service men and women," he said.

The Premier said the State Government was committed to protecting and enhancing Kings Park and Botanic Garden as the State's premier recreation and tourist destination. Recent initiatives include:

·         opening of the Lotteries Federation Walkway - a major new tourist attraction to the park;

·         a completed $1.15million upgrade of the Law Walk, along the Mt Eliza enscarpment;

·         construction of a $2.4million Plant Conservation centre, boosting the Park's world renowned research and conservation capabilities; and

·         a new $445,000 project to restore the State War Memorial.

Premier's office: 9222 9475