By Staff Writer

The West Australian town of Bunbury has been awarded as the state’s top town for 2009.

WA Tourism Minister Liz Constable said the GWN Top Tourism Town Award recognised the town’s achievements in local tourism.

“The judges faced a tough choice in deciding the Top Town Award this year but Bunbury’s great mix of tourism attractions was a deserving choice for the Top Town,” Ms Constable said.

“Bunbury is famed for the dolphins at Koombana Bay, it’s natural beauty and cosmopolitan downtown area but sill maintains its regional and historic character.”

Category winners in this year’s Top Town Awards:

• Heritage – Denham
• Cultural – Kojonup
• Website development – Margaret River
• Management/staff training – Bunbury and Margaret River
• Community relations – Derby and Kojonup
• Environment – Pemberton
• Special events – Kununurra
• Judges encouragement award – Derby
• Business planning and marketing award – Kojonup
• Visitor centre manager of the year award – Swan Valley Visitor Centre manager Scott Fleming