Trail way to draw travellers into town

The Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail could soon lead travellers directly into the heart of Albany.

The City of Albany council was due to decide this week whether to endorse a plan to relocate the southern terminus of the two trails to Alison Hartman Gardens on York Street.

The decision follows a request from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to move the finish-line of the 1000km trail from Proudlove Parade near the old visitor centre.

In an application to the council, the DBCA noted the existing terminus did not meet user expectations in part due its distance from the new visitor centre.

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the trail was a popular tourist offering for Albany and a new finishing point in the town centre could further showcase the city.

He said once the City was back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic, the alteration would help to drive tourism back into the area.

“Hopefully, it becomes part of our tourism product once we get started again,” he said.

The DBCA would fund the estimated $100,000 project, with the City providing in-kind support to manage construction.