❓ A Member of Parliament questions the Minister for Local Government regarding a significant rate increase for a remote caravan park and the Shire's actions. The Minister deflects responsibility, citing delegated authority and lack of direct involvement.
AnsweredQoN 1506Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has the Shire of Broome gained approval from the Minister for
Local Government to increase the rates of the 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park by 387.62% over three years? (2) Is the reason for the rate rise to create an even playing field with similar business’s within the shire? (3) If no to (2), what is the reason? (4) Is the Minister aware that during the consultation process the owners of the caravan park pointed out via mail and phone the complexities and expense of remote, self contained seasonal tourism compared to caravan parks within the Broome Townsite and that the playing field was fairly level as it was? (5) Is the Minister aware that the caravan park is 360km from Broome and the differences are obvious, for instance just getting a service person on site when needed is often a challenge as is staffing and logistics? (6) Is the Minister aware that the shire provides little in the way of services to the area and that the owners of the caravan park have correspondence showing that the shire are distancing themselves from responsibility for the 80 Mile Beach Road to a point where they will no longer place road closures on their website during the wet season even though a past Shire Engineer provided signage and training for this purpose? (7) Is the Minister aware that the owners have appealed against the rate rise? (8) Does the Minister believe that in approving the change to the rating method he was fully briefed on the location and complexities? (9) If yes to (8), why? (10) If no to (8), will the Minister investigate the matter further?
Local Government to increase the rates of the 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park by 387.62% over three years? (2) Is the reason for the rate rise to create an even playing field with similar business’s within the shire? (3) If no to (2), what is the reason? (4) Is the Minister aware that during the consultation process the owners of the caravan park pointed out via mail and phone the complexities and expense of remote, self contained seasonal tourism compared to caravan parks within the Broome Townsite and that the playing field was fairly level as it was? (5) Is the Minister aware that the caravan park is 360km from Broome and the differences are obvious, for instance just getting a service person on site when needed is often a challenge as is staffing and logistics? (6) Is the Minister aware that the shire provides little in the way of services to the area and that the owners of the caravan park have correspondence showing that the shire are distancing themselves from responsibility for the 80 Mile Beach Road to a point where they will no longer place road closures on their website during the wet season even though a past Shire Engineer provided signage and training for this purpose? (7) Is the Minister aware that the owners have appealed against the rate rise? (8) Does the Minister believe that in approving the change to the rating method he was fully briefed on the location and complexities? (9) If yes to (8), why? (10) If no to (8), will the Minister investigate the matter further?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 September 2018
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Local Government
Response time
9 days
(1-3) Rate setting is outlined in the Local Government Act 1995 .
(4) Neither the owners of the caravan park nor the Shire have included the Minister in these discussions.
(5) The Minister is aware of the location of the caravan park and the challenges of operating in regional and remote areas.
(6) The Minister has not been provided with any information regarding the level of services provided by the Shire.
(7) No
(8) The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has advised that the method of valuation for the caravan park, which affects rating, was changed in January 2017 under the delegated authority of the previous Minister for Local Government.
(9-10) Not applicable
(4) Neither the owners of the caravan park nor the Shire have included the Minister in these discussions.
(5) The Minister is aware of the location of the caravan park and the challenges of operating in regional and remote areas.
(6) The Minister has not been provided with any information regarding the level of services provided by the Shire.
(7) No
(8) The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has advised that the method of valuation for the caravan park, which affects rating, was changed in January 2017 under the delegated authority of the previous Minister for Local Government.
(9-10) Not applicable
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