Whyalla’s growing cuttlefish experience is on the South Australian Government’s radar and “exactly” the sort of nature-based tourism venture it is keen to support.
Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs, vowed to don his wetsuit and have a dive next cuttlefish season after visiting Whyalla last month.
The Minister was taken for a tour of the new cuttlefish facilities at Stony Point by Whyalla Mayor, Lyn Breuer, with Council Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cowley, Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula District Manager, Tim Breuer, and Presiding Member of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board, Mark Whitfield.
“It’s great to see such an iconic site where nature-based tourism is coming alive.
“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.”
The Minister said 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.
“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 could be proud of.
“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.”
