Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association chief executive officer Francine Errico said although this amount fell short of the $860,000 originally applied for as part of the grant submission, it was very welcome news, especially given the competitiveness of the grant scheme and the funding available.

“We are delighted with the amount, and pleased with the support shown by the State Government for this incredibly important regional project,” she said.

The Jewel Cave Project involves a complete underground and above ground redevelopment of the cave site, which is required to protect and preserve the cave’s heritage and environment.

The project looks at building new infrastructure and car parks off the surface of the cave, upgrading 50-year-old wiring and lighting and creating an interpretive centre to increase education.

Ms Errico said in addition to conserving and projecting the cave there were many other benefits of the project, which included increasing visitation to the Augusta region and Jewel Cave, creating additional employment opportunities both at the time of the construction and after completion, improving education of visitors on the environmental importance of the cave, and protecting threatened ecological species which live within the cave system.

“This is an incredibly important project, not just for the Association, but for the region,” Ms Errico said.

“Preserving the cave is important to ensure that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The AMRTA has received more than $1.1 million in grant funds for the Jewel Cave Project and will be proposing to inject over $1 million of its own funds to complete the project.

“We are still awaiting the outcome of some outstanding grants, but we believe that this grant success will enable us to now start the project,” Ms Errico said.

She said AMRTA members will receive a full update on the Jewel Cave project at the Association’s Annual General Meeting on December 2, and their approval will be sought to start the project.