Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister tell the chamber about the recent opening of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and how the government is supporting nature-based tourism in South Australia?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. He certainly has an interest not just in our environment but in growing opportunities for employment in our 'Nature like nowhere else' tourism sector.

Last Thursday, 13 October, I had the great pleasure of joining the Premier of South Australia at the official opening of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Kangaroo Island is recognised as one of the 16 iconic Australian national landscapes and is an established nature-based tourism destination. The island's national parks, I am told, contribute 20 per cent of South Australia's nature-based tourism dollars to the state's economy. That is an outstanding figure: one island's national parks contribute 20 per cent of South Australia's nature-based tourism dollars to the state's economy.

Flinders Chase National Park is one of the world's most outstanding areas of breathtaking coastal and inland scenery. The park is an important part of the future of Kangaroo Island. The Kangaroo Island Walking Trail will lift the international profile of Kangaroo Island and South Australia as a nature and adventure destination.

The trail will provide an internationally competitive multiday walking experience, bringing economic benefits to the state. The trail will also provide opportunities for the private sector to invest in accommodation or new tour products on Kangaroo Island. Private investment will include luxury eco-accommodation, helping to recognise the trail as a world-class nature-based tourism experience.

The trail is a perfect way for people to explore the Flinders Chase National Park. There are six main viewing points, overlooking incredibly beautiful places like Rocky River Cascades and Cape Younghusband. The trail will take people to spectacular cliffs, remote and pristine beaches, lagoons and caves, a lighthouse, the famous Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. The trail affords a chance to spot rare animals and birds like seals, wallabies, possums, along with wrens, thrushes, the white-bellied sea eagle and the occasional snake.

The South Australian government committed over $5 million to the Kangaroo Island Walking Trail. This investment forms part of our 'Nature like nowhere else' strategy, the government's nature-based tourism strategy. We know that the South Australian tourism market adds about $5.9 billion to the state economy each year. The industry employs, I am advised, more than 32,000 South Australians.

We made clear our intention to build on this. One of the Premier's economic principles is to make South Australia a destination of choice for international and domestic travellers. Underpinning this principle is the goal to boost the industry to $8 billion a year and 41,000 jobs by 2020. With this 'Nature like nowhere else' strategy, we hope to inject $350 million per annum to the state's economy and create 1,000 new jobs by 2020.

The Kangaroo Island Walking Trail is predicted to directly contribute $1.8 million in total visitor expenditure by 2020, and related expenditure will contribute, I am advised, an additional $4.4 million. I have also been advised that since 1 June 2016, 350 bookings have been made, along with thousands of inquiries.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: 350?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Bookings have been made, along with thousands of inquiries. Estimates show that the annual number of users of the trail will reach 2,000 by 2017 and climb to about 5,000 the following year, which is fantastic for KI's local tourism economy. I am particularly proud of the partnerships created between the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and the South Australian Tourism Commission in making this trail a reality. I look forward to honourable members trialling for themselves parts of this trail. You don't have to do the five-day trail walk all in one go, you can do it in sections, for those who like an easier time.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: How far did you walk?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I did the first section of the trail several months ago down to the platypus lookout.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: How many kilometres?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I think it must have been something like four or five kilometres.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Five?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, they are done in daily sections. Even you, Mr Ridgway, could manage them. Even you could manage them, Mr Ridgway; you do not have to do the whole 70 in one day. If you are up for it, by all means give it a go, but I wouldn't advise it.