|
Home About Us Objectives Committee Join Contact Us News Tree planting Weeding Archives Policies Comment Quiz |
|
|
An Alternative Funding method for Rottnest:
In a recent letter to Tourism Minister Mark McGowan we wrote: The Society is very pleased with this government’s funding commitment to Rottnest in order that the Rottnest Island Taskforce’s recommendations could take place. We are also hopeful that efforts by the Rottnest Island Authority to achieve financial sustainability will be successful. We do however, believe that this is a particularly difficult task for the RIA given that they are responsible for the provision of all the services of a small remote town without the benefit of a rate base, as well as the conservation, restoration and maintenance of the fragile natural environment, a significant built heritage component and visitor accommodation and services at the same time keeping the island affordable for Western Australians. And of course the structure of the RIA is such that it is not eligible for much in the way grant funding for conservation work. A number of reports over the last two decades have identified this problem. In view of this we do think that a case can be made for the government to seriously consider providing ongoing funding in the form of a Community Service Obligation for the conservation and restoration of the natural environment of this ‘A’ Class Reserve and for restoration work on heritage listed buildings. The RIA should be required to be self-sustaining in the management of all visitor accommodation and services. A number of reports over the last two decades have indeed identified the difficulties facing the RIA - particularly as they are also required to keep the island 'affordable' for Western Australian families and the desire by so many people in the community that the focus remains on the island being a holiday destination for Western Australians rather than an international tourist resort. We are not the first ones to propose that the Government seriously consider separating the above components - and we probably won't be the last. We know that the built heritage buildings are significant both from a state, and a national perspective. The repair and maintenance of these buildings is extremely expensive because of the expertise and special materials required. The built heritage deserves support from the public purse. The island itself is an 'A' Class Reserve - and possibly about to become a National Park. How many 'A' Class Reserves/National Parks are required to be totally self-funded? This publicly owned island deserves support from the public purse. And then there is the structure of the Rottnest Island Authority itself which limits its ability to apply for grant funding for which local government authorities can apply. We know that the RIA provides the utilities that regional towns have supplied by state utilities whilst also having a rate base (we are not advocating a change of structure). And there is the requirement to keep it 'affordable' - and yes there will always be debate over what 'affordable' means. Nevertheless management and government must (and do) take this into account when setting accommodation rental fees and the landing fee. We certainly believe that the RIA should be required to be self-funding in the area of accommodation and visitor services (including provision for ongoing maintenance and upgrading of stock). However, given the extreme limitations faced by the RIA, it does seem to us that a good case can be made for separating out the Natural Environment and the Built Heritage component for ongoing funding through Community Service Obligations.
|
|