State Government to promote Flinders Ranges fossils in new push for nature-based tourism
Some of South Australia’s oldest features are being marketed to new crowds of potential travellers in the UK this week.
SA News
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Flinders Ranges fossils that provide a snapshot of life on earth 500 million years ago are being promoted in the United Kingdom as part of a nature-based tourism push.
As the state experiences sluggish tourism growth, grappling with devastating impact of the coronavirus virus and bushfires, the State Government is searching for new opportunities.
Environment Minister David Speirs will this week in London present the world’s single greatest record of Ediacaran fossils, located at Nilpena Station in the Flinders Ranges.
During a keynote speech to 150 people at a South Australia Club Event and another with key members of the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation, Mr Speirs will try to raise the profile of Nilpena Station.
Mr Speirs hopes to attract private investment to support management, research and tourism of the site.
The Government is undertaking a master plan for the visitor precinct and fossil site.
Visitor access will be strictly controlled to ensure the fossils are not at risk of theft.
Alarmingly, latest figures show the state’s tourism industry had already taken a hit before the coronavirus epidemic and bushfires, with the “visitor economy” at its lowest since 2012.
Premier Steven Marshall told The Advertiser nature-based tourism was something his Government is absolutely committed to.
“Nilpena Station is a perfect example of the truly unique tourism offerings we have in South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
“Nilpena is another jewel in the crown of South Australian, nature-based tourism assets.
“It’s another part of our state’s exceptional natural heritage that we hope will become an iconic tourism experience on par with some of the world’s great fossil sites.”
Mr Marshall recently told tourism businesses that a key focus for him after taking on the tourism portfolio was to look at promoting the SA outback and Aboriginal storylines.
Opposition tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison pointed out Tourism Industry Council South Australia’s quarterly tourism barometer showed a steep decline in tourism business activity and outlook in the months leading up to, and including, December 2019.
“The barometer shows the visitor economy at its lowest ebb since 2012, with a huge 51 per cent decrease in business outlook, and a 34 per cent decline in business activity,” Ms Bettison said.