Delay hits The Gap upgrade

A multi-million dollar upgrade of one of Albany's most popular tourism destinations has been delayed.

The $3.95 million enhancement of The Gap and Natural Bridge under the Torndirrup National Park Improvement Project went out to tender in February and was due to be finalised by the end of April.

The works would have caused closures during construction between May and November, but was slated for completion before thousands of visitors arrive in Albany for Anzac centenary commemorations.

However, the upgrades will now not start until mid-November, according to a Department of Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman.

"The first tender was not awarded (as) none of the tenders in the first round met the Government's requirements," a spokeswoman said.

"It is intended to advertise and award a new tender as soon as possible." Tourism body Australia's South West chairwoman Lesley Briscoe said she supported the revised time-frame.

However, she raised concerns about works causing closures during the Christmas tourist season.

"It is very good of them to consider the fact that we are going to have a large influx of people to attend Anzac centenary commemorations," she said.

"But I think they would have to seriously look at if they start construction in mid-November, if the works will run into the Christmas holiday period, which is one of the busiest times of the year for holiday-makers to visit the park.

"We don't want people to go away with a feeling that they are always doing something at an inconvenient time of the year."

City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it would benefit Albany's tourism reputation for the sites to remain open to the public until after Anzac centenary commemorations.

He said the possibility of closures over summer was "a necessary evil". "It is going to be a problem at some stage unless you do it in the middle of winter and that is impractical," he said.

"The problem with improving things is that sometimes you have to shut the gate to get them done.

"And in this case, it is just a necessary evil and something you have to live with."