The Nannup geopark hub project has marked significant progress towards construction, with building contracts signed and a licence application submitted to the Shire of Nannup.

Work progresses on Geopark reports that Mark White, Chair of the Nannup WA Geopark, said the progress followed the announcement of Lotterywest funding in April. “So much has been happening since we last communicated with our members, supporters and followers,” he said. Following the announcement of the Lotterywest grant on 18 April, along with funding from Talison Lithium and the Shire of Nannup, the organisation was able to return to contractors and finalise quotations for the project. Despite more than a year passing since the original quotes were provided, adjustments to the budget allowed the project to proceed.

Mr White said the building contract has now been signed, building licence certification completed, the site survey carried out and a steel supplier engaged. Consultation is continuing on the sculpture works, which will include signage, letters, a 3D map display, globes, a curved bench seat and other design elements.

Beyond the hub itself, the geopark has continued to progress a range of education and tourism initiatives across the district. Earlier this year, the Nannup WA Geopark launched its first citizen science project focused on measuring carbon growth and decline. Nannup School has already begun measuring carbon at locations across the school grounds, providing students with opportunities to learn about their local environment through hands-on monitoring.

The geopark has also developed a mobile app featuring information about the geopark and its trails. The app was recently expanded through a collaboration with the Nannup Chamber of Commerce to include the thylacine trail, known within the app as the “Tigers in the Forest” trail. The trail connects a series of thylacine-themed installations throughout the town. Information within the app was compiled by Derek McNutt, who collated photography and mapping for each of the tiger models, while biologist Paul Todd contributed information about thylacines, including their history, predators and eventual extinction.

Mr White said the geopark’s next priority is launching the members’ area of its website, where reports, newsletters, conference details and workshop information will be made available.