State Government bid to bring accommodation to Kings Park falls short with community left divided
A bold push to allow tourist accommodation in Kings Park has seemingly fizzled out after last year's tiny cabin trial, with neither the Tourism Minister or Environment Minister keen to talk about a future for overnight stays.
The company that brought in the three tiny cabins last June around drawcard event Lightscape has also confirmed it won't be returning when the lights and sound spectacle returns next week.
'We really appreciated the opportunity to trial the concept at Kings Park and while the response was positive overall, we've decided to focus on our regional expansion for now,' a Heyscape spokesperson confirmed to PerthNow.
WA's new Tourism Minister Reece Whitby, who was environment minister when the accommodation trial was supported, referred questions about the prospect of future accommodation for Kings Park to new Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn.
Mr Swinbourn did not answer any of PerthNow's questions this week and a written response — attributed to a State Government spokesperson — was non-committal.
'The Heyscape overnight stay experience provided a novel, world-class experience in an extraordinary location,' the statement read.
'Any future proposals will be informed by the Heyscape review, which provides valuable insights into key considerations for accommodation experiences.'
Last year's State Government-backed trial allowed the three cabins to be set up in the park for the three-week duration of Lightscape, providing a rare overnight accommodation experience for some of the event's 180,000 visitors.
At the time, Premier Roger Cook called it a 'start of a new era for Kings Park' as the State Government explored new opportunities for hospitality and accommodation within the park.
'Kings Park is one of WA's best attractions and my government wants to bring Kings Park to life,' he said.
'That means more for visitors to do as they experience one of the world's biggest and best inner-city park.'
But the accommodation audition drew a mixed response, with plenty taking issue with the $495 per night price tag for being too steep.
Community group Friends of Kings Park also slammed the trial because of the potential to 'ruin' the A-class reserve.
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