The Consultancy team was responsible to, and advised by, the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct Steering Committee which represented a number of organisations with an interest in the future development of the precinct. Ms Chris Armstrong of the Gascoyne Development Commission provided executive support for the committee and was the principal point of contact for the consultancy team.

In 1984 the last significant commercial use of Carnarvon's One Mile Jetty was made when an oil tanker carried out a final delivery of fuel to the township. From that date an effective maintenance program for the jetty ceased and the long term future of the facility has been a constant source of public speculation. The decision taken by the Shire of Carnarvon Council in 1985 to preserve the nearby Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage as a community museum suggested tourism and heritage concerns would ultimately provide the rationale for preserving the jetty. This notion was given further credence by the establishment in 1988 of the Carnarvon Light Railway Association Inc, an organisation dedicated to the re-establishment of the rail link betwen the jetty and the centre of Carnarvon.

These two initiatives, however, reflected the enthusiasm and commitment of individuals within the local community to the preservation of Carnarvon's past, rather than a planned response by the Local, State and Federal Governments to develop a viable heritage based tourist attraction around a revitalised jetty. As a consequence, there has been no financial investment in the jetty over the last ten years, leading to a substantial deterioration in the asset, and the real possibility of the facility being demolished.

During the last 18 months, Lotteries Commission of WA funds have been obtained to prepare conservation plans for One Mile Jetty, the Carnarvon Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage and the Carnarvon Tramway. These reports have defined the historical significance of the assets and provided indicative costings for the implementation of conservation and development works. The completion of these reports has stimulated public interest in the various projects and increased the level of awareness concerning their potential value to an expanded Carnarvon tourist industry.

Concurrent with these developments has developed a growing concern with the future economic well being of Carnarvon and continuance of its status as a regional hub. Significant events in this context have included:

* The withdrawal or down grading of several State and Federal government agencies from Carnarvon and an associated decline in population numbers

* The growth of nearby tourist facilities at Shark Bay and Exmouth

* Increasing acknowledgement that the Carnarvon tourist industry requires the development of additional "attractions" in and around town.

These changing circumstances have encouraged and supported the initiation of two significant State government projects designed to promote economic development and improve civic amenities in the township. These are the redevelopment of the main street and the Fascine land development project. Further "activity based" developments are, however, required to encourage visitors to extend their stay.

Following a thorough analysis of the initial consultancy brief, and wide ranging discussions with representatives of the precinct committee, it is the understanding of the consultants that the report should achieve the following objectives:

* to encapsulate the community's vision for the future of the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct

* to articulate a rationale for future government and private sector investment in the Precinct

* to define the principles governing any development of the Precinct

* to provide a management and design blue print for the staged redevelopment of the Precinct which respects the heritage significance of the place and acknowledges the financial constraints facing the community.

In developing the document the consultants were cognisant of earlier reports concerning the preservation of the site, the needs of the Carnarvon tourist industry and community perceptions regarding the town's current problems and future opportunities.