Mr. Johnson questions the Minister for Tourism regarding the implementation of the Rottnest Island management plan, highlighting the low number of implemented recommendations and accusing the Minister of misleading statements. The Minister defends the government's approach, citing the need for a sustainable business plan and addressing immediate operational concerns.

AnsweredQoN 1327Legislative Assembly
Asked
26 November 2003
Portfolio
Tourism

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to his statement in this House yesterday that the Government would establish yet another review to study the infrastructure needs of Rottnest Island because the Rottnest Island management plan’s recommendations were not working. (1) Is the minister aware that, according to the Rottnest Island Authority’s annual report, only six of the management plan’s 249 recommendations have been implemented? (2) Given that the minister has happily accepted and implemented the plan’s recommendations to increase prices and fees on the island, why will he not direct his attention to implementing the remaining recommendations instead of making misleading statements about them not working? Mr R.C. KUCERA

AnswerView source ↗

(1) Yes. (2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.
(1) Is the minister aware that, according to the Rottnest Island Authority’s annual report, only six of the management plan’s 249 recommendations have been implemented? (2) Given that the minister has happily accepted and implemented the plan’s recommendations to increase prices and fees on the island, why will he not direct his attention to implementing the remaining recommendations instead of making misleading statements about them not working? Mr R.C. KUCERA replied: (1) Yes. (2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.
(2) Given that the minister has happily accepted and implemented the plan’s recommendations to increase prices and fees on the island, why will he not direct his attention to implementing the remaining recommendations instead of making misleading statements about them not working? Mr R.C. KUCERA replied: (1) Yes. (2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.
Mr R.C. KUCERA replied: (1) Yes. (2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.
(1) Yes. (2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.
(2) I am aware of the prices and fees issues raised in the report. The Auditor General’s report outlines that a good management plan is in place. In fact, he comments on its vision and direction. However, he acknowledges that it does not offer a sustainable business plan that costs what is needed, examines alternative ways of providing the kinds of services that the previous Government privatised or presents a plan for the cyclical renewal of accommodation and the very things that bring money to the island. Even if the management plan states those things, at the end of the day things have to be done properly and in a balanced way. The island’s board and management have a duty and an obligation to get on with the day-to-day running of the island during the next four months, which is the island’s busiest time of the year and when it is absolutely under stress. We have a contingency plan in place. If something breaks, it will be fixed. As we head into winter, the task force will bring down its report and we will start to implement its recommendations and the direction it sets.

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