City looks out for its tourism

A new tourism project to "lookout" for and the establishment of a Tourism Advisory Group will further advance the renewed tourism push in the City of Karratha, according to Mayor Peter Long.

The new project will involve improving the access and amenity of five key lookouts across the City.

Mr Long said the Tourism Lookout Project would be beneficial to tourists and the local community.

"Having good lookouts will encourage people to stop here, and when people do, they spend money with our local businesses," he said.

"The extra support a tourist market can provide this community is just one of the reasons council sees tourism and its development in the City as a primary issue."

Mt Welcome lookout in Roebourne, William Dampier lookout in Dampier, Radio Hill, Tank Hill and Searipple lookout in Karratha are the lookouts in question.

Funding will need to be assessed as part of the 2015-16 budget.

The City has also set up a Tourism Advisory Group to advise the council on the development of the City's tourism industry.

At its first meeting the TAG echoed recent comments by Pilbara Development Commission chief executive Tony Friday that while there was plenty of potential for tourism in the region, there was a lack of product to showcase it.

Mr Long said the TAG would be a great asset to the council in providing expert decision-making on the progression of tourism.

Members include representatives from Australia's North West, Aboriginal corporations, the Pilbara Development Commission, City of Karratha and industry operators.