Grampians animal plan may be a tourist magnet An independent study has found the Wildlife Art Museum of Australia would attract more than 250,000 visitors each year to Halls Gap in the Grampians region of Victoria. VICTORIA'S Grampians region would reap more than $150 million from a proposed museum honouring wildlife. An independent study has found the Wildlife Art Museum of Australia, also known as WAMA, would attract more than 250,000 visitors each year to Halls Gap. Costing $22 million to build, it would be the first dedicated centre in Australia to celebrate wildlife, art and science. The study, completed by Insight Communications and Street Ryan & Associates, found WAMA would likely contribute more than $150 million to the region's economy in its first 10 years of operation. It would also create more than 60 full-time jobs during construction and about 40 in its early operating years. The project is the brainchild of the community-based WAMA Foundation. Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin said the development was one of the most ambitious projects to be introduced to the council. "It has the potential to significantly boost the Grampians" appeal as one of Australia's premier tourism destinations and help transform the economy of the region," Cr Erwin said. Originally published as Animal plan may be a tourist magnet