- New report quantifies social and economic value of Western Australia's conservation estate
- For every $1 invested by the Cook Labor Government, more than $9 of value is created across the WA economy
- Independent findings reinforce the importance of protecting and restoring Western Australia's environment for future generations
Western Australia's conservation estate is delivering billions of dollars in economic activity, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering benefits across the State, according to a report released today.
The findings are contained in a Deloitte Access Economics study examining the social and economic value of Western Australia's conservation estate, reinforcing the Cook Labor Government's priority of protecting and restoring the environment for future generations.
Overall, WA's conservation estate supported $2.4 billion in economic activity and 20,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2023-24.
The report found every dollar invested in Western Australia's conservation estate generated more than $9 in value across the economy, demonstrating that protecting and restoring the environment also strengthens regional economies, supports jobs and underpins sustainable tourism.
Aboriginal tourism operators made an important contribution to this outcome, generating $55.1 million in economic activity and supporting 514 full-time equivalent jobs while enabling cultural preservation, education and reconciliation.
The study found WA's parks and reserves attracted an estimated 830,000 additional interstate and international visitors in 2023-24, generating significant benefits for regional communities across the State.
Beyond its economic contribution, the conservation estate delivered an estimated social asset value of approximately $26.6 billion over a 30-year period, reflecting the value Western Australians place on nature, culture and recreation in the State's parks and reserves.
The report also includes an in-depth economic valuation of the Ningaloo Reef, Kalbarri Skywalk and Dwellingup Adventure Trails, alongside two case studies quantifying the ecosystem service value of carbon sequestration across Western Australia's marine parks and the Great Western Woodlands.
To view the report, visit dbca.wa.gov.au/deloittereport
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"This report reinforces what the Cook Labor Government has long recognised: protecting and restoring our environment for future generations delivers environmental, economic and social benefits for all Western Australians.
"The findings validate our decision to make record investments in conservation, including adding more than six million hectares to Western Australia's conservation estate through our landmark Plan for Our Parks initiative."
As stated by Acting Tourism Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Western Australians have always known our national parks and World Heritage sites are world-class attractions that draw visitors from across Australia and the world, and now we have the data to prove it.
"These spectacular locations and the infrastructure and experiences within them support thousands of jobs and inject billions into regional economies, all while giving Western Australians and visitors to our State unforgettable nature-based tourism experiences."
As stated by Deloitte Access Economics spokesperson John O'Mahony:
"Our modelling confirms that Western Australia's protected areas are not only iconic destinations for visitors, they also contributed $2.4 billion to gross state product in 2023-24, made up of both tourism impacts and the important work done by the department in conservation, research and park maintenance.
"Looking beyond traditional economics, this is the first time the social asset value of Western Australia's protected areas has been quantified comprehensively in this way. This analysis shows that both the intrinsic value of the natural assets and the experiences of visitors make protected areas a social asset worth $26.6 billion to the Western Australian community."
