Plan to put Age of Fishes on the map

In the past 10 years UNESCO (United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation) has listed 25 geoparks across the globe.

Dr Susan Turner, UNESCO advisor and geopark expert, will be visiting Canowindra next Thursday to discuss the possibility of Canowindra and its fish fossils joining the project.

Dr Turner was a member of the geoparks board who attended the initiation of the geoparks concept in 2001.

Dr Turner will inspect the fossil site and the Age Of Fishes Museum before continuing to Wellington Caves.

There are a number of areas of interest spanning Cabonne Shire including Borenore and Cargo apart from the Canowindra fish fossils.

In the wider Central West there are significant sites near Grenfell (Weddin Shire), Forbes, Parkes and Cowra shires that could become part of the geoparks concept - if they were joined together they could satisfy the international requirements and become a geopark.

"One of the biggest aims is to create employment which is dependent on the sites," Dr Turner said.

"Ecotourism and adventure tourism are the obvious choices which come to mind, but there are endless opportunities."

Manager of the Age of Fishes Museum Fiona Ferguson said geopark status for Canowindra's fossil site would be an "enormous leap" for the museum and other sites in the Central West.

"This would be a true voyage through time where visitors would come into contactwith geological monuments," Ms Ferguson said.

The Age of Fishes will be seeking support for its bid from local, state and federal governments.

MS Ferguson said a geopark in the Central West would generate tourism and employment with opportunities for guided walking tours and educational tours for schools. UNESCO could be able to offer assistance with access signage, training and printing information, she said.