Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation has thrown its support behind infrastructure and amenities for the Wudjari Marine Park it says "will benefit all of Esperance".

On Friday the Corporation (ETNTAC) released a summary of its input into the Shire of Esperance's submission on the Marine Park, which the local government made public on 28 May.

In a letter sent on 6 May 2024, ETNTAC urged the Shire to take a lead advocacy position to argue in favour of the Wudjari Marine Park becoming a world-class marine reserve and fight for the funding, investment and community support needed to achieve that goal.

ETNTAC said it argued the Shire should use its position to campaign for "the best possible outcomes for the whole community, including expedited industry support, improved infrastructure for recreational use and tourism, and sustained support for the projects the region needs to diversify the Esperance economy and support long-term growth".

Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chair, Gail Reynolds-Adamson, said the Corporation recognises "the Shire has tried to walk a balancing line in its submission, however, we believe this risks limiting its effectiveness in shaping this once-in-a-generation opportunity to support our town, region and community for the future".

"The list of infrastructure projects that have been proposed, requested, and shelved over the years in Esperance is long," she said.

"In isolation, these plans don't get adequate funding from the State Government, and they don't attract inbound commercial investment.

"Yet the Wudjari Marine Park offers a unique moment for our Shire to make a strong economic and infrastructure case for these much-needed projects."

Ms Reynolds-Adamson said ETNTAC believes "this is the once-in-a-generation chance to put Esperance's infrastructure needs on the table — for us to make the South Coast Marine Park a world-class research and conservation precinct".

"Moving forward we urge the Shire to heed our position and join us in advocating for a successful future," she said.

ETNTAC said the Wudjari Marine Park offers "an enduring opportunity" for Wudjari people, "empowering them while maintaining the distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship they hold with land and waters".

The Corporation said the Park offers a future in which Esperance becomes "a world-class centre for marine research and ecotourism".

"This will have long-lasting benefits for population attraction and retention, providing more choices for all residents," the organisation said in a statement.

ETNTAC encouraged the local community to respect the consultation process by making their submissions via the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website before 16 June this year.