Kangaroo Island’s Prospect Hill trail to receive $750,000 upgrade as Malcolm Turnbull visits during Mayo by-election campaign
KANGAROO Island will be flushed with $750,000 to overhaul an iconic walking trail when the Prime Minister makes his third appearance on the Mayo campaign trail on Wednesday.
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KANGAROO Island will be flushed with $750,000 to overhaul an iconic walking trail when the Prime Minister makes his third appearance on the Mayo campaign trail on Wednesday.
Malcolm Turnbull will join Premier Steven Marshall to open the Island’s upgraded airport, which is expected to boost the local economy by 12 per cent a year.
As the Government seeks to sandbag the traditional Liberal stronghold, Mr Turnbull will pledge to support redevelopment of the now-closed Prospect Hill trail and lookout in a bid to attract 45,000 foot travellers a year.
Liberal candidate Georgina Downer has faced a concerted campaign from Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie to win over voters on the Island.
The airport upgrade, jointly funded by the federal and state governments, has raised its facilities to International Air Transport Association Class C standards.
Mr Turnbull said both upgrades would extend the Island’s tourism season and boost private sector investment.
“This means more families spending more, investing more and driving more jobs and confidence in the local community,” he said.
Mr Turnbull said the $18 million airport upgrade was expected to attract 25,000 new tourists and boost the local economy by $29.8 million annually.
Mr Marshall said it would increase the Island’s exposure to new domestic and international tourism markets.
The Prospect Hill trail, which follows the path explorer Matthew Flinders took to view the Island from its highest point in 1802, was closed by the council in 2016 after it was deemed unsafe.
Mr Turnbull said the $750,000 commitment would be used to redevelop the existing trail and lookouts and create new ones.
“The new and redeveloped trails are expected to attract up to 45,000 tourists every year,” he said.
“More tourism means a stronger economy and more jobs for Kangaroo Island.
“The project will minimise environmental degradation in the areas immediately surrounding the walking paths on Kangaroo Island with the creation of a new short walk, as well as redeveloping and enhancing parts of existing paths and lookouts.
“It will deliver economic benefits through an increase in employment, an increase in annual visitor spending as more tourists visit the Island or extend their stays.”