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TOURISM SUPPORT: Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs (centre) with Tim Breuer, Chris Cowley, Mayor Lyn Breuer and Mark Whitfield at the Stony Point cuttlefish site and, below, Mr Speirs has a look around at Stony Point.
Whyalla’s growing cuttlefish experience is on the State Government’s radar and “exactly” the sort of nature-based tourism venture it is keen to support.
This was confirmed by South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs after visiting Whyalla last week. The minister was taken for a tour of the new cuttlefish facilities at Stony Point by Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer with Council CEO Chris Cowley, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula District Manager Tim Breuer and Presiding Member of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Mark Whitfield.
Vowing to don his wetsuit and have a dive next cuttlefish season, Mr Speirs was suitably impressed and said the government was “really focused” on building opportunities like the Whyalla cuttlefish experience.
“It’s great to see such an iconic site where nature-based tourism is coming alive,” Mr Speirs said.
“We have a big focus on this sort of tourism, looking at our natural assets and opportunities to leverage them in a sustainable way.
“This is exactly the sort of example we like to see … it is a great thing for South Australia to have and to tell the world about.”
Mr Speirs said the government was keen to invest in opportunities like the Whyalla cuttlefish experience, and associated events like this year’s inaugural Cuttlefest 2018, to help draw more people to South Australia and, particularly, the regional areas.
“The government is really focused on building these opportunities where possible to draw people to South Australia and experience our natural environment,” Mr Speirs said.
“We need more unique experiences like this along the way and it’s about investing in them, nurturing them and bringing them to life with the facilities to make them even more enjoyable.
“This government is, absolutely, looking for these sort of ventures and, importantly, forming partnerships with local government and the private sector to help develop them.”
Mayor Breuer welcomed the minister’s enthusiasm and vowed to continue working with the State Government and all stakeholders to build on the cuttlefish experience and make it an eco-friendly tourism focus the city can be further proud of.
“Working with government departments like Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, the community and local business, Council has laid the foundation for what will be a substantial niche tourism industry venture in Whyalla involving the cuttlefish,” Mayor Breuer said.
“The first Cuttlefest was an outstanding success complemented by the new Stony Point shelter and toilet facilities which were built in a dollar-for-dollar partnership with Council and Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.
“To have Minister Speirs come here, recognise the work already done to create a sustainable environmentally-friendly industry, and commit to even more support and co-operation is a real shot in the arm for the region.
“It will open up a whole range of opportunities for Whyalla, our expanding tourism industry and our growing reputation as a must-visit place on the map.”