Giant influx expected for Anzac centenary
A massive 60,900 WA visitors to Albany are expected for the Anzac centenary commemorations starting in October, according to a report released by Tourism WA.
More than 100 people attended the third and final Anzac Albany forum at Albany Town Hall last Tuesday, at which attendees were briefed on the numbers expected for the events planned from October 31-November 2.
Four out of five visitors will stay with friends or family, which national commemorative events State director Richard Muirhead said “caught us by surprise”.
Some 14,200 people from Albany, Denmark and Plantagenet are also expected to attend, bringing visitor numbers up to 75,000.
About 25,900 vehicles are expected to drive to Albany and visitors will on average spend four nights.
Mr Muirhead said the figures would help with final planning on traffic management and public transport.
“Albany … is never going to be the same again,” he said.
Albany RSL sub-branch president Peter Aspinall, who initially pushed for the idea of an Anzac interpretive centre and naval re-enactment, said it was gratifying to see the project’s progress.
“From scratchings on paper on the veranda drinking red wine, to now have something to really be proud of (is gratifying),” he said.
RSL State president Graham Edwards said while the weekend would leave Albany with a huge legacy, there would be disruptions.
“The event will cause some inconvenience and disruption, and I think that people will take that disruption in their stride,” he said.
City of Albany cultural and community development manager Adam Cousins said there would be road closures on the Friday and Saturday.
“There will be traffic jams and some pinch points,” he said.
Royal Australian Navy Commander Rebecca Jeffcoat said Albany Port would effectively be closed during the centenary period to allow for warships expected to anchor in King George Sound.
She said the ships would sail out of the harbour as part of “Procedure Alpha” and the senior VIP — expected to be Prime Minister Tony Abbott — would salute ships from his vantage point at the opening of the National Anzac Centre.
Other updates included seven naval ships open to tour, with a 12,000 visitor capacity on the day, a Stirling Terrace mess hall gratitude wall where people can write messages to servicemen and women, and a troop march with several platoons and 500 veterans.
Community concerns raised include lack of accommodation for families visiting relatives onboard naval vessels, lack of bike racks and bus pick-ups and participation in the mess hall.
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